Education Assistant-Inclusion, Kindergarten, Kinder +, and Classroom

About the role

The Educational Assistant-Inclusion position at Ventana Vista Elementary supports the structured education of students with special needs within a regular classroom setting. The role involves working with severely multiply impaired students of various grade levels under immediate supervision.

Responsibilities

• Work individually with students with special needs and support their educational progress according to their Individual Education Program (IEP).
• Modify lessons, instructional materials, quizzes, and tests to ensure accessibility and comprehension for students.
• Conduct parallel teaching/tutoring sessions.
• Take notes for students and work with small groups of students.
• Maintain behavior reinforcement programs for positive and negative behaviors.
• Provide physical support and assistance to help students move between classroom locations.
• Assist with personal, physical, and custodial needs of students, including feeding, lifting, positioning, assisted walking, and toilet needs.
• Assist with range of motion exercises, physical/occupational therapy programs, and physical education.
• Assist students in developing fine and gross motor skills, balance, and interpreting directions.
• Assist with speech therapy.
• Follow established medical emergency plans for medically frail and medically involved students as needed.
• Teach life skills and study skills.
• Write and submit progress reports.
• Assist other special needs students as needed.
• Use a variety of methods, such as assistive software, sign language, Braille, and typing/writing, to communicate with students and assist in developing functional communications skills.
• Monitor and document student activities and progress for teacher and parental review.
• Assist teachers in carrying out the education program.
• Attend consultations with specialists to meet the needs of special needs children.
• Interact with children to encourage positive self-concept and enthusiasm for learning.
• Prepare the classroom and playground as needed.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Adhere to the goals, policies, and procedures of the program.
• Assist students on the bus as required in their IEP, including using needed restraints, observing/assisting students during the trip, reporting any difficulties or changes in students' needs, and assisting students in evacuating the vehicle in case of emergency.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree preferred and six months of working with special needs children.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a Level I - IVPP Fingerprint Clearance card through Arizona Department of Public Safety.
• CPR certificate and First Aid certificate are required within one (1) year of hire.
• Willingness to support feeding and toileting of students with training.

Skills

• Knowledge of CFSD and school policies and procedures regarding inclusion of special needs students.
• Knowledge of curriculum content for assigned area and/or student's Individual Education Program.
• Knowledge of universal precautions required when exposed to blood, mucus, saliva, urine, and bowel movements.
• Knowledge of proper emergency medical care, body positioning/mechanics, and CPR.
• Knowledge of appropriate oral and physical intervention methods for special needs students.
• Knowledge of available methods to modify classroom assignments.
• Knowledge of proper techniques in handling, lifting, and carrying students.
• Ability to safely lift, move, and work with special needs students.
• Ability to use specialized tools such as adaptive computer software, adaptive therapy equipment, and augmentative communication devices.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, administrators, students, and parents.

Benefits

No specific benefits are mentioned in the job posting.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $19.81 - $21.03 per hour for Inclusion Kindergarten, Kinder + and $16.26 - $17.26 per hour for Classroom. The FTE is 0.675 with a total of 27 hours per week (24.5 hours for Inclusion Kindergarten and Kinder + and 2.5 hours for Classroom).

Schedule

The schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The position is for 10 months with 188 paid workdays per year.