Special Education Assistant (0.3)/Educational Assistant (0.128) - Huegel - 0.428 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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 Special Education Assistant performs specialized work with students with disabilities. Duties vary according to the assigned population and may include supporting early childhood development, academic access in grades 4K–12, implementation of students’ IEPs and behavior or regulation plans, and vocational independence for students ages 18–21. The position may support students in classrooms, community settings, and work sites. The assistant supports instruction and student access, implements positive behavior strategies and safety procedures, supervises students, and provides personal care and physical assistance with respect for student dignity. The role also includes collecting and documenting student progress information, communicating relevant updates to families and teams, collaborating with multidisciplinary staff, preparing learning materials and environments, and coordinating community-based schedules. The position is school-based and in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal; work may occur in classrooms, living labs, job sites, and outdoors, and may involve travel to other district locations and off-site meetings.

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 educational 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 in alignment with district-mandated training.
Operate and troubleshoot high- and low-tech adaptive devices, communication boards, and specialized educational software.
Perform personal care tasks, including diapering, bathroom assistance, and tube feeding, while maintaining student dignity.
Record objective academic and behavioral data accurately and maintain confidentiality under FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers and multidisciplinary team members.
Transition between classroom, community-based, 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 levels, lighting, and activity while remaining focused 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 use of personal protective equipment when necessary.
Safely assist students with loading and unloading school buses and navigating field trips.
Engage in ongoing training on safety protocols, medical updates, and inclusive instructional strategies.
Work in person in school-based assignments unless otherwise directed by the building principal; travel to district locations and off-site meetings may be required.

Responsibilities

Support play-based learning and foundational skills for early childhood students, including navigating classroom centers and scaffolding tool use and letter recognition.
Implement modified curricula and intervention strategies to promote student independence in general education settings.
Provide on-site job coaching for students ages 18–21, break vocational tasks into manageable steps, and gradually fade support as students gain mastery.
Prepare adapted literacy and instructional materials, such as recorded books, visual schedules, and communication boards.
Monitor and implement positive behavior strategies, behavior intervention plans, and safe-space procedures using district-approved techniques and safety protocols.
Support students’ emotional regulation and behavioral success, and coach workplace etiquette and social cues.
Supervise students during lunch, recess, field trips, school-bus loading and unloading, classroom activities, and community or workplace settings; maintain active awareness and respond to potential safety or health concerns.
Assist in modifying physical and social environments to foster belonging and engagement.
Provide personal care, including changing and dressing, eating, diapering and toileting, bathroom assistance, and tube feeding or medication administration according to health plans, while protecting privacy and dignity.
Assist with student transfers and adaptive devices, including wheelchairs, standers, and gait trainers; coach students in using communication devices to advocate for their needs.
Follow sanitation protocols and use personal protective equipment as required.
Record objective student data as directed by teachers, including information related to IEP goals, developmental milestones, behavior logs, and vocational measures.
Contribute information to family and team communications, including notebooks, home-to-school folders, and electronic logs.
Maintain student-record confidentiality and comply with FERPA and HIPAA requirements.
Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and external agencies, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of 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.
Complete other duties as assigned, attend district and school functions supporting district initiatives and values, complete required training, and build collaborative relationships with business partners.