Special Education Assistant (SEA) - Hawthorne - 0.8 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant works under the direct or general supervision of a building principal or department leader and the daily direction of a Special Education Teacher or Student Services staff. The role provides specialized support to students with disabilities, with duties adapted to the assigned population and setting. Students served may range from early childhood through K–12 and ages 18–21 transition services. Support includes foundational development, academic access, implementation of supplementary aids and services described in students’ IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, and vocational independence. The assistant supports instruction and inclusive participation; implements positive behavior strategies and safety procedures; supervises students; provides personal care, mobility, and communication-device assistance; collects and documents student progress information; and collaborates with school teams, families, and community partners. Work may take place in classrooms, living labs, community job sites, and outdoors. School-based positions are in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal, and travel to district locations or off-site meetings may be required. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Meet one of the following: hold an associate degree; have completed 48 academic credits beyond high school; or pass an onsite District assessment in lieu of either requirement.
Hold a current Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Education Program Aide License (1015), or obtain one within a timeframe determined by the District.
Understand special education terminology and maintain high expectations for students.
Be able to modify and deliver curriculum materials and literacy activities as directed by a licensed professional.
Remain calm and professional in high-stress situations and implement positive behavior strategies and approved safety protocols.
Operate and troubleshoot adaptive devices, communication boards, and specialized educational software.
Be able to perform sensitive personal-care tasks while maintaining student dignity.
Record objective academic and behavioral data accurately and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA.
Communicate effectively and collaborate with teachers and multidisciplinary teams.
Transition between classroom, community, and vocational settings while maintaining a daily schedule.
Frequently lift, push, pull, and transfer students, often up to 50 pounds or more depending on District policy, and assist with orthopedic equipment.
Stand, walk, kneel, squat, and reach for extended periods and keep pace with students during transitions, recess, and community outings.
Work in environments with varying noise, lighting, and activity while maintaining focus on student safety and engagement.
Recognize changes in students’ physical health or emotional state and promptly alert the appropriate supervisor or medical staff.
Follow health and sanitation policies, including using personal protective equipment when necessary.
Safely assist students with loading and unloading school buses and navigating field-trip environments.
Engage in ongoing training on safety protocols, medical updates, and inclusive instructional strategies.
Have manual dexterity to operate office or medical equipment and handle small instructional tools.

Responsibilities

Support early-childhood learning through play-based activities and scaffold foundational skills.
Implement modified curriculum and intervention strategies to support student independence in general education settings.
Provide job-site coaching for students ages 18–21, break vocational tasks into manageable steps, and fade support as students gain mastery.
Prepare adapted literacy and instructional materials, such as recorded books, visual schedules, and communication boards.
Assist with positive behavior strategies, behavior intervention plans, safe-space procedures, emotional regulation, and district-approved safety protocols.
Supervise students during lunch, recess, field trips, school-bus loading and unloading, and community or workplace activities.
Maintain active supervision by scanning and positioning to monitor students, anticipate risks, and recognize early signs of behavioral or medical distress.
Help adapt physical and social environments to promote student belonging and engagement.
Provide personal care, including dressing, eating, diapering, toileting, bathroom assistance, and tube feedings or medications as specified in health plans.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive equipment, and coach students in using communication devices to advocate for their needs.
Follow sanitation procedures and use personal protective equipment when necessary.
Record objective student data, including information about IEP goals, developmental milestones, behavior logs, and vocational measures, as directed by teachers.
Contribute to family and team updates through notebooks, home-to-school folders, or electronic logs.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and HIPAA requirements.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies on student supports and modifications.
Prepare sensory materials and organize classroom, learning, or vocational environments.
Coordinate and carry out daily travel schedules for community-based instruction and work-site rotations.
Build collaborative relationships with business partners.
Attend district and school functions, complete required district training, and perform other duties as assigned.