Special Education Assistant (SEA) - Cherokee - 0.5 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Assistant (SEA) supports students with disabilities across the developmental lifespan 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 student population varies by assignment and may include early childhood, grades 4K–12, and transition services for ages 18–21. The role supports student access to instruction, implementation of IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, personal care, independence, and participation in school and community settings. The assistant provides academic and instructional support, implements modified materials and strategies as directed by licensed professionals, and helps students access literacy and learning activities. The role supports positive behavior and safety plans, supervises students in school and community activities, and adapts environments to encourage engagement and belonging. Duties may include sensitive personal care, mobility assistance, use of adaptive and communication devices, and support with health-plan procedures. The position also records student progress and care information, communicates updates to families and teams, collaborates with educators and related service providers, prepares learning or vocational environments, and coordinates community-based instruction logistics. The role requires in-person work for school-based assignments unless otherwise directed, and may involve travel between district and off-site locations. The position is 0.5 FTE for the 2026–27 school year and is based at Cherokee Middle School. Starting compensation is $25.47 per hour; the position is non-exempt.

Requirements

Meet one of the following: have an associate degree, have completed 48 academic credits beyond high school, or pass an onsite District assessment in lieu of those requirements.
Hold a 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.
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.
Perform sensitive personal care tasks while maintaining student dignity.
Accurately record academic and behavioral data and maintain student confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers and multidisciplinary teams.
Transition between classroom, community-based, and vocational settings while maintaining a daily schedule.
Frequently lift, push, pull, and transfer students, including loads of up to 50 pounds or more according to 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 outings.
Remain focused in environments with varying noise levels, lighting, and activity.
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 the physical requirements of bus loading and unloading and field-trip activities.
Engage in ongoing training on safety protocols, medical updates, and inclusive instructional strategies.
Work in varied environments, including classrooms, living labs, job sites, and outdoors in inclement weather; travel to district locations and off-site meetings as required.
Work in person for school-based assignments unless otherwise directed by the building principal.

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 on-site job coaching for transition-age students, break vocational tasks into manageable steps, and gradually fade support as students gain mastery.
Prepare adapted literacy materials and other resources so students can access content at their developmental level.
Assist with monitoring and implementing positive behavior strategies, behavior intervention plans, safe-space procedures, and district-approved safety protocols.
Supervise students during lunch, recess, field trips, school-bus loading and unloading, and community activities.
Maintain active supervision, anticipate safety risks, and recognize early signs of behavioral or medical distress.
Adapt physical and social environments to foster belonging and student engagement.
Provide personal care, including dressing, eating, diapering, toileting, bathroom assistance, and tube feeding or medication administration as directed by health plans.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive equipment, and coach students in using communication devices to express their needs.
Follow sanitation and personal protective equipment protocols.
Record objective data related to IEP goals, developmental milestones, behavior logs, and vocational measures as directed by teachers.
Contribute to home-to-school communication and electronic or written logs with daily updates for families and teams.
Protect student records and comply with FERPA and HIPAA requirements.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies regarding student supports and modifications.
Prepare sensory materials and organize 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 training, and perform other duties as assigned.
Assist students with loading and unloading school buses and navigating field-trip environments.