Instructional Assistant - 1 on 1

About the role

The Instructional Assistant in Special Education, 1 on 1, provides individualized educational and access support to an assigned student under the direction of licensed instructional staff. The assistant helps the student access instruction, demonstrate learning, participate in classroom and school activities, use educational materials and technology, and develop independence.

Responsibilities

• Moving around the classroom and school campus efficiently
• Engaging in physical activities during lessons, recess, and physical education
• Responding quickly to student needs and emergencies
• Providing one-on-one assistance during lessons, independent work, assessments, transitions, and other school activities
• Scribing the students dictated responses accurately and without prompting, interpreting, correcting, or altering the students ideas
• Aiding with note-taking, keyboarding, document navigation, page turning, organizing materials, and other tasks needed for the student to access and complete academic work
• Preparing, positioning, and managing books, papers, writing tools, manipulatives, adaptive equipment, and digital devices so the student can participate as independently as possible
• Supporting students use of assistive technology, accessibility tools, communication systems, and classroom technology as trained and directed
• Reinforcing skills, strategies, and concepts previously introduced by the teacher
• Breaking assignments into manageable steps, repeating or clarifying directions, and providing approved prompts without completing the students thinking or decision making
• Assisting students in achieving 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
• Participating in field trips with the student
• Implementing behavior management strategies, following Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), to support students emotional and behavioral development
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of students at all times, following established protocols for medical and emergency situations
• Aiding with functional access, positioning educational materials or equipment, and other assigned school routines after receiving appropriate training
• Observing the student and promptly reporting changes in participation, comfort, access, behavior, or safety to appropriate staff
• Maintaining students dignity and privacy while providing safe and consistent support with personal needs
• Assists students with daily living skills, such as dressing, eating, lavatory needs, grooming, medical needs, and personal hygiene as appropriate to individual development
• Complies with personal hygiene rules and standard sanitation procedures
• Maintaining clear professional boundaries and immediately referring instructional, behavioral, safety or health concerns to the appropriate licensed or supervisory staff member
• Familiarizing the student with assistive technology tools and aiding them in using these devices to enhance their learning and/or communication needs
• Working under the direction of teachers, related-service providers, administrators, and other designated staff
• Facilitating the inclusion of our students into general education classroom activities, ensuring they have equal access to the curriculum
• Communicating all concerns and questions directly to the special education or classroom teacher only
• Communicating relevant observations to the special education or classroom teacher using objective, respectful, and confidential language
• Maintaining open and effective communication with the teachers and other specialists involved in the students education
• Participating in required training, meetings, and planning activities related to the assignment
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation as directed
• Reinforcing behaviors that demonstrate students successful achievement and growth of identified goals
• Protecting the confidentiality of student records, educational plans, accommodations, services, and personal information
• Fulfilling the dexterity and physical requirements of the work, and effectively attending to special needs of school age children
• Maintaining consistent and punctual attendance

Requirements

• 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 experience supporting students in a school, special education, accessibility, scribing, note-taking, rehabilitation, or related setting 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
• Ability to perform the essential functions, meet the performance aptitudes, and fulfill the physical/sensory/environmental requirements of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations)
• Understanding of the developmental, physical and emotional behaviors and challenges of students with moderate-to-profound intellectual, physical, and/or emotional disabilities; with demonstrated stress management skills
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to support instruction, document information, and communicate effectively
• Basic proficiency with computers, educational technology, and common accessibility features, or the ability to learn them
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions, maintain confidentiality, and work collaboratively
• Successful completion of required background checks and employment screenings
• Willingness and ability to complete training specific to assigned student supports

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• An Associates degree or higher, or at least sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited institution of higher education
• Previous experience supporting students in a school, special education, accessibility, scribing, note-taking, rehabilitation, or related setting
• 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

Skills

• Ability to perform the essential functions, meet the performance aptitudes, and fulfill the physical/sensory/environmental requirements of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations)
• Understanding of the developmental, physical and emotional behaviors and challenges of students with moderate-to-profound intellectual, physical, and/or emotional disabilities; with demonstrated stress management skills
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to support instruction, document information, and communicate effectively
• Basic proficiency with computers, educational technology, and common accessibility features, or the ability to learn them
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions, maintain confidentiality, and work collaboratively

Benefits

The Instructional Assistant is eligible for benefits on the "Support Staff" benefits schedule if hired for at least 90 consecutive days.

Pay

The starting hourly rate is $21.63 per hour.

Schedule

The Instructional Assistant is scheduled to work when students are present, usually beginning one day before students arrive and ending the last school day for students.