Education Support Professional (Special Education: Therapeutic Education Alternative)

About the role

The Education Support Professional (ESP) in the Therapeutic Education Alternative (TEA) Program assists classroom teachers in providing instruction and managing student educational programming. They adapt instructional materials, equipment, or strategies, implement charting and data collection, and assist licensed staff in classroom management and behavioral interventions.

Responsibilities

• Assist classroom teacher in providing instruction and managing student educational programming.
• Adapt instructional materials, equipment, or strategies, under the direction of the teacher or other professionals, to provide differentiated instruction, accomplish objectives and meet student needs.
• Implement charting, data collection, paperwork preparation, and other monitoring techniques to ensure student success in a variety of areas, such as behavioral, social, and educational.
• Assist licensed staff in the implementation of classroom management and behavioral interventions, creating an environment appropriate for learning.
• Utilize proactive behavior management techniques, reinforcing positive behaviors, utilizing de-escalation techniques, and redirecting inappropriate behaviors. May be required to use physical restraints.
• Aid students in their daily routines, including escorting students during arrival and departure and to special classes or therapy, providing supervision in school areas such as lunch, the playground or gym, and at school related activities off site.
• Facilitate activities with a student or small group under the direction of the teacher, therapist or other related services staff.
• Help to maintain safety of all students and the environment.
• Collaborate with related service personnel, teachers, fellow assistants, and other program/school staff in order to meet the needs of students and maintain a positive work environment for all.
• Participate in training/in-service as assigned, in accordance to the contract.
• Perform other job-related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Willingness and ability to work with students receiving a high-level of special education services.
• Must be highly qualified: Two years of study at an institution of higher education with the ability to provide transcripts showing 60 completed semester credits, an Associate's (or higher) degree, OR a passing score on the ParaPro assessment.
• Previous experience working with children and/or individuals with special needs, with general knowledge of the practices, methods, and techniques used in the teaching of students.
• Ability to work as an effective member of a team with staff, parents, and the community through the building and maintaining of collaborative and positive relationships.
• Willingness to complete training in Professional Crisis Management and implement restrictive procedures.
• Ability to obtain PCA certification from the Department of Human Services.
• Good oral, written, and interpersonal communication that is maintained during high-stress and crisis situations.
• Ability and desire to work with assistive technology.
• Basic computer and email skills.
• Proficient in core educational subject areas.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds weight and up to adult-size body weight with two-to-three-person lift.
• Ability to support a student's full body weight up to adult size.
• Frequently requires standing, walking, lifting, bending, leaning, and repetitive motions.
• Occasionally requires sitting, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.

Benefits

The position offers a starting pay rate of $22.55/hour per the Education Support Professional Contract, following District policy and State/Federal Laws.