2025-2026 Special Education Instructional Assistant- Full Time

West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District•West Windsor, NJ

63d

About The Position

The Instructional Assistant for Special Education assists licensed staff members in creating a positive learning environment to facilitate the personal, social-emotional, behavioral and intellectual development of all students. The IA is an integral part of the educational team because he or she provides the support students need, promotes the achievement of the students' educational and individualized goals and learning objectives by providing supplemental services to assist the classroom teacher in meeting individual education programs(IEPs).

Requirements

Instructional assistants must hold a high school diploma and 60 credits from an accredited college or university.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge and understanding of child growth and development and of the diverse needs of students with special needs is essential.
Ability to be proficient in computer applications pertinent to support the position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Google Suite, Genesis Employee Portal and Student Information System.
New Jersey First Act, N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), requires employees of all school boards to reside in the State of New Jersey unless otherwise exempted under the law.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with students with disabilities, including Autism, preferred.
Associates degree preferred.
Experience with autism preferred
CPR and First Aid certification may also be required.

Responsibilities

Assist students with special needs as necessary per their individualized education plan
Assist the special education teacher in developing classroom curriculum based on individual students' needs.
Provide support in imparting specialized education based on individualized lesson plans.
Provide prompting, cueing, and redirecting student participation to the tasks at hand.
Provide organizing and managing of materials and activities.
Perform specialized tasks to achieve instructional, behavioral, personal and social learning objectives.
Assist special education teacher with behavior intervention procedures.
Help students with their mobility needs and ensure provision of a safe classroom environment.
Provide instruction based on lesson plans and assist individual students in comprehending concepts.
Perform assessment of personal, social-emotional, behavioral and intellectual needs of students.
Monitor students during activities and downtime and intervene in case of adverse activities.
Assist students during lunch as necessary to consume food and beverages.
Assist in activities of self-care for students.
Adapt to classroom activities and assignments to serve the purpose of reinforcing classroom objectives.
Apply and remove physical therapy equipment to students such as body brace and leg braces.
Communicate with students to determine their needs and ensure that they are fulfilled properly.
Assist lead teacher in developing and adapting individualized teaching methods to meet the individual needs of students.
Observe students for changes in behavior or physical health and report observations to lead teacher.
Create and submit student observation reports.
Supervise and assist students during indoor and outdoor activities.
Assist in facilitating the personal, social-emotional, behavioral and intellectual development of students.
Assist in establishing a positive learning environment, and respond to the individual needs of students.
Ensure that all activities conform to building and district guidelines.
Communicate effectively with all members of the school district.
React to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.
Appropriately operate all classroom equipment.
Reaffirm the value of education that aligns with the District mission and vision
Reinforce lessons presented by teachers by reviewing material with students one on one or in small groups.
Enforce school and class rules to help teach students proper behavior.
Maintains confidentiality of information about students.
Assist with the supervision of student/s during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, lunch periods and/or field trips.
Participates in in-service training, as scheduled.
Willingness to support student with significant developmental delays that may have a behavior plan and include actions such as biting, hitting, pinching.
Performs other appropriate duties or tasks that may be assigned by the Special Education supervisor, supervisor, or building principal.