Education Support Professional Special Education 1:1 - LRC - SAMI

Tacoma Public Schools•Tacoma, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides one-on-one assistance to a Grade 9 male student with a disability in all school activities and day-to-day needs during the school day. The role assists a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for the assigned student and other classroom students as time permits. SAMI (School for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation) partners with the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Fort Nisqually, and Metro Parks Tacoma to provide real-world learning experiences. Teachers collaborate with scientists, naturalists, and educators from these organizations to design hands-on curriculum. SAMI is a STEM-focused school located within Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park. Students engage in place-based, integrated learning through six academic pathways in life and physical sciences. Instruction takes place in zoo facilities, park buildings, and other unique learning environments.

Requirements

Completion and attaining of the state mandated General Paraeducator Certificate.
28 hours of training on the Fundamental Course of Study provided by the district.
Associate degree or 72 credit hours of post-secondary education or passing state test to demonstrate knowledge.
Demonstrated ability to assist in instructing students.
One year of experience in working with special needs individuals who may have severe disabilities.
CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to be trained within the first 90 days of employment.
Required to attend District restraint training and maintain certification.
May be required to complete cleansing intermittent catheterization (CIC) training.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities.
Knowledge of assigned subject areas and basic learning styles.
Knowledge of effective instructional methods for students with disabilities.
Knowledge of safe and proper methods of lifting and positioning of students.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to defuse student conflict and de-escalate situations.
Ability to obtain, clarify, and exchange information.
Ability to use excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively and collegially with staff, community and students, including students with special needs.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach and lift to attend to the physical needs of the students.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities.
Ability to feed, diaper, and provide toileting and/or other personal assistance to students.
Ability to be sensitive to students who are unable to communicate their needs.
Ability to appropriately restrain students as necessary.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.
Ability to establish and maintain effective civil and collegial working relationships with a variety of people in a multicultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Nice To Haves

Basic sign language skills (for designated positions.)

Responsibilities

Provides instruction to students individually or in small groups in assigned learning or “center” activities per direction of teacher; may implement lesson/activity assigned by specialists; provides assistance as necessary to students with sensory or physical handicaps; promotes and monitors a safe environment conducive to the instructional process; may perform vocational training with students according to their individual needs as assigned by the teacher or specialist; may assist students with job hunting skills and job application procedures and encourages students to participate in all learning activities.
May instruct students in self-care activities or carry out activities such as feeding, dressing and toileting; may perform diapering/toileting assistance and changing of sanitary napkins and colostomy bags, brushing teeth, inserting orthodontics and suctioning machines, tube or pump feeding; may restrain and calm students when they become self-abusive or violent toward others; monitors and protects students through seizures and other physical emergencies; performs sensory stimulation activities as assigned; uses adaptive equipment; may assist students to perform activities during adaptive physical education; may administer and log medications as assigned, as trained by the licensed school nurse or appropriate therapist.
Supervises students during recess or lunch periods; may supervise students in locker/shower rooms and restrooms; assists students in bus loading or unloading; instructs bus drivers on proper physical and/or behavioral support of students; may transport students as needed throughout the school or building premises.
Records student progress on data sheets, daily logs and prepares reports to assist the teacher; maintains communication with classroom teacher, program administrator and/or other school staff; may assist in assessing students; communicates with parents/guardians as assigned; maintains student records; collects and records data for the teacher on student progress toward IEP goals and objectives, behavioral plans, and grooming plans in addition to academic progress.
May be required to adjust position of students with physical disabilities periodically throughout the day to protect skin and ensure comfort; implement occupational therapy and physical therapy as instructed by specialists; use and teach basic sign language with students as needed; monitors students constantly to ensure safety.
May prepare and serve lunches and snacks for students in the assigned program; may clean dishes, utensils, and eating area following snack periods.
Models positive and appropriate behavior for students; corrects inappropriate behavior and demonstrates and discusses appropriate behavior; instructs students in appropriate conflict resolution as directed; administers discipline according to District guidelines and assists in classroom management.
Assists teacher in adapting materials and activities as directed; may assist in administering standardized tests as assigned; uses special teaching techniques, computer software, and adaptive equipment to meet the needs of students with particular disabilities, as assigned; arranges classroom furniture and materials for activities; may accompany students on field trips and camp activities; may accompany student to off-site jobs several times per week to supervise work; may supervise and provide instruction with students in general education classes.
Participates in department staff meetings; provides information regarding students.
May use specialized adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, wedges, standers, side-layers, etc.; assists in adapting and maintaining equipment for student use.
May coordinate computer activities for students with disabilities; maintains and troubleshoots equipment; assists in the scheduling of students to use equipment; maintains equipment and software.
Demonstrates reasonable, reliable and regular attendance to prevent undue hardship that would create negative effects for instruction and related activities on the students and the program; adheres to District policy per general Employee Conduct rules regarding tardiness and unauthorized absences.
Addresses concerns with appropriate teaching staff and/or therapy staff and/or building administrators as appropriate.
May perform cleansing intermittent catheterizations after receiving required training.
Provides general clerical assistance in the classroom; duplicates materials and completes necessary paperwork.
Supervises students in the classroom during teacher’s brief breaks.
Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis; may work in more than one classroom as assigned by building administrator.
May perform, after received required training, physical restraint of student if student is harm to self or others.
Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.