Teacher Associate (Sp Ed - Lv II)

Southeast Polk Community School District•Pleasant Hill, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves working under the supervision of teachers or other licensed personnel to support the design and implementation of education and related service programs. The goal is to contribute to the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children and youth. The role requires assisting with student instruction, maintaining a safe learning environment, preparing materials, and supporting students with physical or behavioral needs. The Teacher Associate will operate standard school equipment, complete clerical tasks, and use universal health precautions. They must be able to read at or above the student's grade level, act as a positive motivator, develop rapport with students, and communicate effectively with staff. Patience and the ability to handle challenging student behaviors are essential. The role also involves maintaining confidentiality, implementing daily activities, ensuring student health and safety, keeping paperwork up-to-date, and serving as a positive role model. Participation in home visits and assisting with meal preparation may also be required. Ongoing professional growth, including mandatory training and certifications, is expected.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Demonstrated ability to successfully work with the needs of all Pre-K thru 12th Grade students.
Successful completion of physical, criminal background and child abuse registry check, and pre-work screening at time of hire.
Experience working in an educational setting.
Ability to obtain required training, including but not limited to: certification to administer medication to students, American Heart or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification, Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI).
Ability to work with all students with diverse needs.

Nice To Haves

Successful work or volunteer experience with disabled population
Supervisory experience with school age children
48 credit hours post-secondary education or Para educator certification from the Iowa Department of Education

Responsibilities

Assists with small groups and/or individual student instruction and supervision.
Assists in maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment in various school settings (classroom, lunchroom, playground, field trips).
Assists with classroom set up and material preparation.
Assists with physical or behavioral needs of individual students.
Operates standard school equipment (computer, copier, audio-visual equipment).
Completes clerical tasks as assigned.
Uses standard universal health precautions.
Reads and comprehends at the student's grade level or above.
Practices being a positive motivator and able to develop working rapport with the student.
Relates to and interacts with students using positive reinforcement and effective communication.
Communicates effectively with all staff.
Follows Kronos rules for clocking in and out.
Follows IEP and teacher's directives.
Demonstrates resilience to occasional negative student behaviors (language, threats, habits).
Practices patience and does not become easily discouraged.
Helps student(s) to become integrated into the class.
Maintains confidentiality and student privacy.
Reports to assigned center as scheduled.
Implements daily activities (crafts, board games, activities, large group games or activities).
Maintains a clean, sanitary, orderly and safe environment.
Ensures the health and safety of the student at the building, on outdoor play areas, and on field trips.
Is knowledgeable about program policies and procedures.
Records behavioral incidents (time out, problem reports, accident reports, etc).
Keeps all assigned paperwork up-to-date and submits in a timely manner (Medicaid, student academic or behavioral data).
Serves as a positive role model for the students.
Participates in home visits accompanied by the teacher when asked.
Assists in the preparation, serving, and clean up of breakfast, lunch and snacks as needed.
Attends required staff meetings.
Maintains professional growth, current Mandatory Reporting Training, First Aid, CPR certification as required.
Assumes duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Teacher or Principal.
Completes annual Bloodborne Pathogens training.