1:1 Special Education Instructional Assistant

About the role

The Instructional Assistant (Special Education: 1 on 1 SHE) provides individualized support to one student with diverse needs, promoting their comfort, safety, and engagement throughout the school day.

Responsibilities

• Assist with mobility and transitions, including wheelchair transport and occasional lifting.
• Ensure the student's dignity and balance.
• Scribe written tasks as needed.
• Support the student during lunch.
• Offer general observation to foster independence while attending to daily needs.
• Participate in and supervise a range of activities such as moving around the classroom and school campus, engaging in physical activities, responding quickly to student needs and emergencies, and demonstrating and participating in activities that require physical movement and coordination.
• Provide one-on-one assistance to students with special needs, helping them with academic, organization, and communication skills.
• Achieve their goals that require physical and emotional support with successfully navigating classroom, cafeteria, and school-related experiences as outlined by their IEP and teacher direction.
• Support students in community-based instruction (field trips), school and community jobs, and skill development.
• Implement behavior management strategies, following Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), to support students' emotional and behavioral development.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of students at all times, following established protocols for medical and emergency situations.
• Maintain students' dignity and privacy while providing safe and consistent support with personal needs.
• Receive NCI training to promote de-escalation and safety.
• Aid students with daily living skills, such as dressing, eating, lavatory needs, grooming, medical needs, and personal hygiene as appropriate to individual development.
• Comply with personal hygiene rules and standard sanitation procedures.
• Facilitate the inclusion of students with disabilities into general education classroom activities, ensuring they have equal access to the curriculum.
• Maintain open and effective communication with teachers and other specialists involved in the student's education.
• Stay informed about best practices in special education and participate in training opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required; an Associates degree or higher, or at least sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• Previous vocational training or work experience with school-age children with special needs is preferred.
• Able to meet the requirements of a paraprofessional as outlined in ESSA.
• Pass the required Expanded Criminal History Check and Expanded Child Protection Index Check.
• Must have at least an associates degree or two years of college or passed the ParaPro Assessment.
• This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, or responsibilities associated with it.

Skills

• Patience, empathy, and strong communication skills.
• Ability to follow IEPs and adapt instructional strategies accordingly.
• Physical ability to assist students with mobility and personal care needs if necessary.
• Flexibility.

Benefits

Eligible for benefits on the "Support Staff" benefits schedule.

Pay

$21.63 per hour.

Schedule

Work hours align with the school schedule, with occasional school meetings and events.