Denny Int'l Middle - Special Education Assistant 1-1 (Extended Resource) - 1.0 FTE

Seattle Public Schools•Denny International Middle School, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is a 1-on-1 Special Education Instructional Assistant assigned to a student in the Extended Resource service pathway. The student is an energetic sixth-grade student who requires adult monitoring and support with building skills for peer-to-peer relationships. The role involves assisting in implementing strategies to improve focus, attention, and impulse control, and supporting the student in managing emotional regulation and navigating social interactions. The assistant will utilize culturally responsive practices to create a safe and supportive environment, honoring the student's background and identity as a Black male. Collaboration with teachers, counselors, and other staff is essential for adapting instructional materials and classroom activities. The position requires monitoring and documenting the student’s progress, sharing updates with team members, and using de-escalation techniques and positive reinforcement to address and prevent behavioral outbursts. The Special Education Assistant will serve as a trusted mentor and advocate for the student’s academic, social, and emotional growth, working with a team, collaborating with family support, and conferring with the family to provide progress updates. Building an authentic relationship focused on the student’s strengths and interests, and providing calm, firm, and consistent expectations in a supportive manner are key aspects of this role. The job of Special Education Assistant/ISE-203 is done for the purpose of assisting in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; providing information to appropriate school personnel; and attending IEP meetings. Special Education Assistant job duties vary according to the school/program needs, i.e., generalist, severe/profound, behavior disorder, hearing impaired, autism, etc.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Have received a qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment as published by PESB; OR Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; OR Have earned seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the one hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university; OR Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.
Valid State of Washington Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility
Secure Training, CPR, First Aid
Criminal Justice Fingerprint Background Clearance
Ability to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios.
Ability to read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others.
Ability to understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.
Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices.
Knowledge of age-appropriate student activities.
Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
Knowledge of conflict resolution.
Knowledge of stages of child development/behavior.
Ability to perform multiple, non-technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.
Ability to adhere to safety practices.
Ability to operate standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications.
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
Ability to gather and/or collate data.
Ability to use job-related equipment.
Flexibility to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances.
Ability to work with data utilizing defined and similar processes.
Ability to operate equipment using standardized methods.
Ability to work with a wide diversity of individuals.
Ability to work with similar types of data.
Ability to utilize job-related equipment.
Problem solving to identify issues and create action plans.
Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation.
Problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate.
Ability to adapt to changing work priorities.
Ability to communicate with diverse groups.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to work with constant interruptions.
Ability to keyboard.
Ability to learn to use personal computers.
May require the ability to do basic signing.
Working under direct supervision using standardized procedures.
Leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others.
Operating within a defined budget.
Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions.
Seldom lifting – up to 50 pounds.
Carrying, pushing, and/or pulling.
Some climbing and balancing.
Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling.
Significant fine finger dexterity.
May need to handle medically fragile children, attend to students' physical needs, which may include toileting, changing diapers, tube feeding and assisting menstruating students; support structured learning and behavior shaping activities.
45% sitting, 25% walking, and 30% standing.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children.

Responsibilities

Assist in implementing strategies to improve focus, attention, and impulse control.
Support the student in managing emotional regulation and navigating social interactions.
Utilize culturally responsive practices to create a safe and supportive environment for the student, honoring their background and identity as a Black male.
Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and other staff to adapt instructional materials and classroom activities.
Monitor and document the student’s progress, sharing updates with the appropriate team members.
Use de-escalation techniques and positive reinforcement to address and prevent behavioral outbursts.
Serve as trusted mentor and advocate for the student’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
Work with a team and collaborate and confer with the family support work and family for the purpose of providing information related to the student's progress.
Build an authentic relationship focused on student’s strengths and interests.
Provide calm, firm, and consistent expectations in a supportive manner.
Assist in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom.
Assist in implementing plans for instruction.
Monitor student behavior during non-classroom time.
Provide information to appropriate school personnel.
Attend IEP meetings.
Adapt classroom activities, assignments and/or materials for the purpose of providing an opportunity for all special education students to participate in classroom activities.
Administer a variety of materials and assignments (e.g. tests, homework, grades papers, folders, etc.) for the purpose of assisting teacher in evaluating students' progress and/or organizing the individual needs of the student.
Administer first aid and medical assistance as required for the purpose of providing appropriate care for injured children.
Assist students requiring support in addressing personal care needs due to medical condition and/or physical limitations for the purpose of allowing students to function in school environment.
Attend meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
Confer with teacher/s (special education and/or mainstream teacher) on a regular basis for the purpose of assisting in evaluating special education student progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
Confer with teachers and/or parents (e.g. phone calls, e-mails, parent-teacher meetings, recording student progress in a notebook, etc.) for the purpose of providing information related to the student's progress as established in their individual educational program.
Direct and Implement behavioral plans for students with behavior disorders or other conditions for the purpose of assisting in meeting special education students needs, protecting the safety of the child and others, and providing a consistent environment.
Instruct students in a variety of activities in individual and group settings (e.g. academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives, implement plans for remediation of students deficiencies in accordance with students individual educational program goals and ensuring students success in school.
Maintain instructional materials and/or student files/records (e.g. adapting instructional materials, checking papers, attendance, set up adapted projects, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
Monitor students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. rest rooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) for the purpose of aiding students and providing a safe and positive learning environment.
Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.