Educational Assistant-High School

Background on Southbridge Public Schools:

Southbridge Public Schools serve approximately 2,200 students in six schools. The district is presently undergoing extensive turnaround at all levels, with the assistance of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This creates unique opportunities for teachers and students. One example is a long-term partnership with the University of Connecticut to develop Southbridge Schools to be a national demonstration site for successful implementation of PBIS strategies. Additionally, the district is the recipient of a number of significant grants that allow Secondary School resdeisgn, curriculum enhancements, improved culture and climate and afterschool opportunities for students. If you feel strongly about improving the educational experience for students and have a commitment to social justice, Southbridge Public Schools welcomes you.

More information about Southbridge Public Schools can be found here.

Job Duties:
1. Assists teachers in the supervision of classroom and school-wide learning activities, providing assistance and learning support to students.
2. Provides instruction to students as prescribed by the supervising teacher and reinforces skills to help students master concepts and skills introduced by teacher.
3. Assists teachers in checking and objectively evaluating students’ work; teaches students individually and in small groups reinforcing skills based upon instructional guidelines.
4. Uses professionally developed positive behavior strategies in managing student behavior and maintaining classroom and school-wide order.
5. Assists in the development of communication skills, progressive learning skills; making the teacher aware of students learning deficiencies; documents records of learning activities.
6. Assists students with developmentally appropriate self-care skills.
7. Assists professionals with the development/preparation of learning materials/instructional resources and the environment.
8. Prepares instructional reports and completes required forms, schedules, records, and other data as required.
9. Responsible for keeping up to date on current technology and practices, as job appropriate, being used by SPS. 
10. Attends meetings and in-services as required.
11. Reinforces rules of the school.
12. Responds to emergency situations.
13. Attends training and maintains certification in district offered physical management and verbal de-escalation.
14. Performs monitoring duties as assigned.
15. Use of universal health precautions for preventing illness and infections and proper body mechanics for interacting with students and moving heavy objects.
16. Maintains confidentiality of student records.
17. Establishes and maintains cooperative, congenial and supportive working relationships with others.
18. Carries out TEAM decisions and provides services required by IEPs as assigned by the teacher/provider, related service provider or Tier 4 educational assistant.
19. Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher, (e.g. reinforcement of IEP goals and objectives, etc.) for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives as well as providing an opportunity for all special education students to participate in classroom activities.
20. Prepares and uses adaptive equipment and assistive technology prescribed by professionals.
21. Assists PTs, OTs, SLPs and nurses to maintain adaptive equipment.
22. Assists students in transferring to and from supportive/functional positions.
23. Supports and assists students with activities designed by specialty service providers.
24. Assists and supports students with fine motor activities as appropriate to individual development.
25. Assists and supports students with gross motor activities as appropriate to individual development.
26. Assists and supports students with Activities of Daily Living (toileting, dressing, feeding, care of service animals, etc.) as appropriate to individual development.
27. Assists nurses with procedures required for learners who have special health care needs.
28. Provides, under the supervision of assigned teacher, support and skill-building to students in a variety of individual and group activities for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; and ensuring students success in school.
29. Provides instructional, vocational, and developmental assistance to mentally, physically, emotionally disabled, and other special needs students, as prescribed by the supervising teacher.
30. Transfers dependent students into and out of wheelchairs to other supportive surfaces for learning and personal care.
31. Provides dependent assistance to students with gross motor activities as appropriate to individual development.
32. Provides dependent assistance to students with Activities of Daily Living (diapering, feeding, dressing, etc. ) skills as appropriate to individual development.
33. Assists professionals in conducting functional behavior analysis.
34. Assists professionals in implementing advanced behavioral strategies.
35. Carries out professional plans in community-based vocational and transitional programs.
36. Adapts instructional materials to the needs of the learner, under the direction of a certified professional.
37. Monitors, observes, and charts behavior of students in their exploratory classes and documents behavioral changes, outbursts, and other actions specific to the student.
38. Independently supervises students in the absence of certified professional staff or Tier 4 educational assistant.
39. Performs other related duties as assigned by the building Principal for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associates or Bachelors Degree Preferred

Spanish Language Skills Strongly Preferred

Experience with 9-12 grade students Strongly Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer

Southbridge Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Southbridge Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.