Teacher Associate Sp Ed - Lv II/III

Hours: 7:15 AM – 2:45 PM (Wednesdays 9:15 AM – 2:45 PM)
Location: Middle School

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work with the needs of all Pre-K through 12th Grade students
• Successful completion of physical, criminal background and child abuse registry check, and pre-work screening at time of hire
• Experience working in an educational setting
• Ability to obtain required training, including but not limited to:
  • Certification to administer medication to students
  • American Heart or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification
  • Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI)
• Ability to work with all students with diverse needs

Desired:

• Successful work or volunteer experience with disabled population
• Supervisory experience with school age children
• 48 credit hours post-secondary education or Para educator certification from the Iowa Department of Education

About the Role

To work under the supervision of teacher(s) or other licensed personnel who have the ultimate responsibility for the design and implementation of education and related service programs; to contribute to the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children and youth.

Responsibilities

• Assists with small groups and/or individual student instruction and supervision
• Assists in maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment in a variety of school settings (classroom, lunchroom, playground, field trips)
• Assists with classroom set up and material preparation
• Assists with physical or behavioral needs of individual students
• Operates standard school equipment (computer, copier, audio-visual equipment)
• Completes clerical tasks as assigned
• Uses standard universal health precautions
• Reads and comprehends at the student's grade level or above
• Practices being a positive motivator and develops working rapport with students using positive reinforcement and effective communication
• Relates to and interacts with students using positive reinforcement and effective communication
• Communicates effectively with all staff
• Follows Kronos rules for clocking in and out
• Follows IEP and teacher's directives
• Remains composed despite occasional bad language, threat of physical violence, or personal habits of students
• Practices patience and does not become easily discouraged
• Helps student(s) to become integrated into the class
• Maintains confidentiality and student privacy by only discussing student needs with staff who have an educational need to know
• Reports to assigned center as scheduled
• Implements daily activities (crafts, board games, activities, large group games or activities)
• Maintains a clean, sanitary, orderly, and safe environment
• Ensures the health and safety of students at the building, on outdoor play areas, and on field trips
• Is knowledgeable about program policies and procedures
• Records behavioral incidents (time out, problem reports, accident reports, etc.)
• Keeps all assigned paperwork up-to-date and submits in a timely manner (such as Medicaid, student academic or behavioral data)
• Serves as a positive role model for students
• Participates in home visits accompanied by the teacher when asked
• Assists in the preparation, serving, and clean up of breakfast, lunch, and snacks as needed
• Attends required staff meetings
• Maintains professional growth, current Mandatory Reporting Training, First Aid, CPR certification as required by state and federal regulations
• Assumes duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Teacher or Principal
• Completes annual Bloodborne Pathogens training

Physical Demands

• Capable of standing throughout the work day
• Appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness suited to working in close proximity to school age children and adults
• Ability to work with interruptions during a work shift
• Capable of working with students with different personalities, capabilities, and physical and mental limitations
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds to waist level
• Capable of carrying equipment or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds for a distance of 50 feet
• Capable of standing, walking (at variable speeds and duration to include running), and changing positions quickly throughout the workday, including:
  • Sitting on and getting up from the floor
  • Sitting at different levels when using adult or various child-height chairs (ranging from 12" seat height and above) and getting up from these chairs
  • Maintaining sustained kneeling, crouching, bending, leaning down, and leaning over postures up to 40 minutes at a time
• Willingness to come into contact with body fluids such as urine, feces, blood, nasal secretions, and contagious diseases such as flu and the common cold
• Capable of using cleaning and sanitizing chemicals with appropriate PPE
• Capable of working in a broad range of temperatures, humidity, and other winter and summer environments
• Capable of working in a noisy environment
• Physical dexterity in limbs and digits necessary to physically interact with children in a playground and classroom environment

Note: The physical demands described represent real-life tasks an employee may need to perform as part of the essential functions of this job. While the frequency may be low, the stated physical demands may be required during the course of a daily work shift. Tasks exceeding these limits should only be performed with sufficient manpower or material handling equipment.

Clothing

• Outdoor clothing including coats, boots, gloves, and hat dependent on environmental conditions
• Appropriate footwear for an environment where sharps, chemicals, or body fluids may fall onto exposed skin