Teacher Associate (Sp Ed - Lv III)

Southeast Polk Community School District•Pleasant Hill, IA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher Associate (Special Education - Level III) works under the supervision of teachers or other licensed personnel, who retain responsibility for designing and implementing educational and related service programs. The associate contributes to students’ social, emotional, and intellectual growth and supports students with diverse needs from Pre-K through 12th grade. The position is located at Centennial Elementary. The listed schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; hours and days assigned may vary according to need. The role supports individual and small-group instruction, student supervision, classroom and activity preparation, and students’ physical and behavioral needs. It also includes maintaining a safe and orderly environment, documenting incidents and student data, completing assigned clerical work, and following teachers’ and IEP directives. Associates may assist with meals, field trips, home visits accompanied by a teacher, and other assigned duties. The position requires maintaining confidentiality, communicating effectively with staff and students, and serving as a positive role model. The associate must maintain required training and certifications, including mandatory reporting, First Aid and CPR, and annual Bloodborne Pathogens training. The position’s physical demands include standing and moving throughout the day, lifting up to 50 pounds to waist level, carrying up to 25 pounds for 50 feet, and working in varied temperatures and noisy settings. It may involve contact with bodily fluids, contagious diseases, and cleaning or sanitizing chemicals while using appropriate PPE.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with the needs of Pre-K through 12th grade students.
Successful completion of a physical, criminal background check, child abuse registry check, and pre-work screening at time of hire.
Experience working in an educational setting.
Ability to obtain required training, including certification to administer medication to students, American Heart Association or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification, and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training.
Ability to work with students with diverse needs.
Ability to remain patient and not become easily discouraged.
Ability to work with interruptions and with students who may use bad language, threaten physical violence, or have personal habits that may be challenging.
Ability to stand throughout the workday; lift up to 50 pounds to waist level; and carry up to 25 pounds for 50 feet.
Ability to stand, walk at variable speeds and durations (including running), change positions quickly, sit on and rise from the floor and child- or adult-height chairs, and sustain kneeling, crouching, bending, or leaning postures for up to 40 minutes.
Willingness to come into contact with bodily fluids, including urine, feces, blood, and nasal secretions, and contagious diseases such as flu and the common cold.
Ability to use cleaning and sanitizing chemicals with appropriate PPE.
Ability to work across a broad range of temperatures, humidity, seasonal conditions, and noisy environments.
Physical dexterity in limbs and digits to interact with children in playground and classroom settings.
Appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness for working in close proximity to school-age children and adults.

Nice To Haves

Successful work or volunteer experience with the disabled population.
Supervisory experience with school-age children.
Forty-eight post-secondary credit hours or paraeducator certification from the Iowa Department of Education.

Responsibilities

Assist with small-group and individual student instruction and supervision.
Help maintain a safe and orderly learning environment in classrooms, lunchrooms, playgrounds, on field trips, and in other school settings.
Assist with classroom setup and preparation of materials.
Assist with individual students’ physical or behavioral needs.
Operate standard school equipment, including computers, copiers, and audiovisual equipment.
Complete assigned clerical tasks and keep required paperwork current and submit it on time, including Medicaid and student academic or behavioral data.
Use standard universal health precautions and maintain a clean, sanitary, orderly, and safe environment.
Read and comprehend material at the student’s grade level or above.
Build rapport with students, use positive reinforcement and effective communication, and serve as a positive role model.
Communicate effectively with staff and interact positively with students.
Follow Kronos clock-in and clock-out rules, IEPs, and teacher directives.
Help students participate as members of the class and implement daily activities such as crafts, games, and group activities.
Ensure student health and safety in the building, outdoor play areas, and on field trips.
Follow program policies and procedures and maintain confidentiality and student privacy.
Record behavioral incidents, time-outs, problem reports, and accident reports.
Report to the assigned center as scheduled and attend required staff meetings.
Participate in home visits with a teacher when asked.
Assist with preparing, serving, and cleaning up breakfast, lunch, and snacks as needed.
Maintain professional growth and current mandatory reporting, First Aid, and CPR training or certifications as required.
Complete annual Bloodborne Pathogens training.
Perform other duties assigned by the teacher or principal.