Pathfinder K-8 - Special Education Assistant 1-1 (Distinct) - 1.0 FTE

Seattle Public Schools • Pathfinder K-8, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a 1-on-1 Special Education Instructional Assistant to a male student in a Distinct classroom, supporting a teenage student with down syndrome who is working primarily on community safety and social skills. His 1-on-1 would be expected to accompany him on community outings as well as help him continue academic instruction in the school. The student engages in elopement behaviors as well as some behaviors that will require training from the lead teacher in order to follow a behavior plan. The student is fun, relational, and requires a safe, trusting connection with an adult that can maintain firm boundaries, yet flexibility and the ability to encourage appropriate behavior. The candidate will need to provide support with elopement, restroom use, lifting the student from the floor as needed, and during meal times and transitions. Behavioral and academic support with the student is necessary throughout the day. The student benefits from a calm, energetic, physically flexible, patient person who has a good understanding of positive behavior support, de-escalation strategies, and is willing to be coached in order to best serve the student. The job of Special Education Assistant/ISE-203 is done for the purpose/s 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 and at least one of the following: (a) Have received a qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment as published by PESB; or(b) Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or(c) 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(d) Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.
• Ability to do basic signing.
• Criminal Justice Fingerprint Background Clearance

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with children.
• Secure Training, CPR, First Aid

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials for the purpose of providing an opportunity for all special education students to participate in classroom activities.
• Administers 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.
• Administers first aid and medical assistance as required for the purpose of providing appropriate care for injured children.
• Assists 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.
• Attends 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.
• Confers 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.
• Confers 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.
• Directs and Implements 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.
• Instructs 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.
• Maintains 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.
• Monitors 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.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
• Building relationship
• Maintaining safety (especially preventing elopement)
• Behavior support
• Transition support
• Toileting support
• Responding to self-injurious behaviors
• Responding to aggressive behaviors
• Support with focus during academic tasks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED