Thornton Creek Elementary - Special Education Assistant 1-1 - 1.0 FTE

About the role

This is a one-on-one position with the assigned service pathway to be determined. The role assists in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students in regular or self-contained classrooms, implements instructional plans, monitors student behavior outside of class, provides information to school personnel, and attends IEP meetings. Duties vary by school or program needs (e.g., generalist, severe/profound, behavior disorder, hearing impaired, autism).

Responsibilities

• Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and materials under the teacher’s direction to ensure participation by all special education students.
• Administer tests, homework, grading, and organize student materials to assist in evaluating progress and meeting individual needs.
• Provide first aid and medical assistance as required.
• Assist students with personal care needs due to medical conditions or physical limitations.
• Attend meetings and in-service presentations (e.g., first aid, CPR, emergency procedures).
• Confer regularly with teachers to evaluate student progress and implement IEP objectives.
• Communicate with teachers and parents via calls, emails, meetings, or progress notebooks to share student progress.
• Direct and implement behavioral plans for students with behavior disorders or other conditions to meet needs, ensure safety, and maintain consistency.
• Instruct students individually and in groups in academic subjects, social skills, and daily living skills to reinforce instructional objectives and support IEP goals.
• Maintain instructional materials, student files, attendance records, and adapted projects.
• Monitor students during non-classroom times in environments such as restrooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus zones, cafeterias, and parking lots to ensure safety and a positive learning environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge:

• Basic math including fractions, percents, and ratios.
• Ability to read manuals, write documents in prescribed formats, and present information to others.
• Understanding of complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.
• Instructional procedures and practices.
• Age-appropriate student activities.
• Safety practices and conflict resolution.
• Stages of child development and behavior.

Skills:

• Performing multiple non-technical tasks with potential need to upgrade skills.
• Adhering to safety practices.
• Operating standard office equipment and pertinent software applications.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Ability:

• Gathering and collating data; using job-related equipment.
• Working with diverse individuals and similar types of data.
• Adapting to changing work priorities.
• Communicating with diverse groups while maintaining confidentiality.
• Working as part of a team with constant interruptions.
• Keyboarding and learning to use personal computers; may require basic signing.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent and at least one of the following:

• Qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment as published by PESB; or
• Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or
• Seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the 100-level or higher at an accredited college or university; or
• Completion of an apprenticeship as a paraeducator registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

Certificates & Licenses

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License or equivalent mobility.
• Secure Training, CPR, and First Aid certifications.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Background Clearance.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with children.