26-105; Educational Assistant Site Based; .6875 FTE; Student Services/Ashland High School; Probationary

Site: Student Services / Ashland High School
Hours: 5.5 hours per day / .6875 FTE
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

About the Role

To improve student achievement by assisting a licensed teacher in the planning and implementation of an educational program, including individualized education programs (IEPs). Assigned educational programs may include both general and special education settings. Perform instructional activities in support of the prescribed lesson plan and delivered to students within the least restrictive environment (LRE) conducive to student success. Assist in providing a safe, healthy environment for students, including students with complex behavior or medical needs, and support with student data collection and clerical duties.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementation of learning experiences for students; confer with teacher to provide feedback on student performance in tutorial and testing activities.
• Interpret individualized education programs and related instructional plans, within guidelines set by certificated teacher, and develop specific lesson and tutorial strategies based on knowledge of student aptitude.
• Instruct students in small group and individual settings, often without direct teacher oversight; revise lesson plan or teaching strategy during instructional activity as necessary to achieve IEP goals and objectives.
• Conduct extensive student testing using prescribed test batteries; inform teacher of any unusual academic or disciplinary problems.
• Help students develop positive interpersonal relationships with peers and adults; promote safety of the students by helping them develop self-confidence.
• Interpret and implement a behavior management program; train and assist students in behavior management; provide education regarding appropriate interpersonal actions; respond to discipline problems; act as a role model.
• Respond to the community regarding assigned program; develop contacts and resources available to students.
• Attend in-service and workshop training related to area of assignment; apply training to instructional responsibilities.
• Perform a variety of general clerical duties including writing attendance reports, grading papers, and maintaining accurate files.
• Assist students, teachers, and/or parents with communication problems.
• Use district vehicles, as needed by assignment, for student transportation between educational settings and/or within the local community.
• Support students during transportation to and from school as a bus rider.
• Implement medical protocols as required for individual students, including bathroom protocols, feeding protocols, and medication management.
• Use program or setting-specific software programs for both instruction and maintenance of student and program records.
• Supervise students in a variety of settings, including on the playground, in hallways, or on entering or leaving the classroom.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Annually pass the District's required online training by the assigned due-date.
• Follow and maintain knowledge of all District policies and procedures.
• While working collaboratively with others, implement decisions within ASD established policies and procedures.
• Professionally represent the school and the District in interactions with parents, community, staff, and students, and resolve conflict in a professional manner.

Marginal Duties

• Assist office staff and licensed staff members as necessary, including answering telephones, routing telephone calls or messages to appropriate staff, and operating general office machinery such as photocopy machines, computers, and fax machines.
• Perform minor first aid in compliance with District policies and complete required paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Assist on school field trips, as requested.
• File documents and records according to predetermined classifications, maintaining alphabetical index and cross-referencing files.
• Attend in-service trainings and staff meetings, as requested or scheduled.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, or one to two years' related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must meet current No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements.
• Prior successful experience working in a school setting or with children strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of instructional practices related to the assignment and familiarity with IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), or the ability to quickly learn its requirements.

Skills

• Interpersonal Skills: Work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrate strong conflict-resolution skills, maintain confidentiality, listen respectfully, manage emotions appropriately, and contribute to a positive team environment. Proven ability to work successfully with students, including applying effective student supervision and classroom management techniques in settings serving students with moderate to severe learning, physical, and social/behavioral disabilities.
• Student Support Skills: Provide instructional support to students with moderate to severe learning, physical, and social/behavioral disabilities. Work effectively in physically and emotionally demanding environments, including with students who may display aggressive behaviors. Support students with empathy and assist with basic needs such as feeding and personal hygiene when required. Understand and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), working independently when needed to meet student goals. Demonstrate knowledge of growth and development principles for students with special needs.
• Language Skills: Ability to communicate fluently verbally and in writing in English. Effectively present information and respond to questions in one-on-one and small group situations to students and other school staff. Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and governmental regulations.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Reasoning Ability: Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, schedule, or diagram form. Deal with problems involving several variables in a variety of situations.
• Computer Skills: General knowledge of computer usage and ability to use a variety of software and email. MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and PowerSchool strongly preferred.
• Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to appropriately communicate with students, licensed staff members, administrators, and parents. Exercise good judgment and work in an environment with constant interruptions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certificates as determined by the District, including meeting current No Child Left Behind certification requirements.
• Ability to obtain a valid CPR/First Aid card.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to walk; stand; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, ability to adjust focus, and peripheral vision.
• May be required to restrain a student using moderate strength (20-50 pounds push or pull) and CPI techniques.
• Constantly moving around a classroom to assist various students.
• May be required to assist with behavior plans to manage and monitor student behavior and safety.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level may be low to moderate, but frequently high depending upon student population and activities.
• Occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions.
• May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens.

Pay

$20.61 - $25.13 per hour