Teacher Associate (Sp Ed - Lv III)

Southeast Polk Community School District•Pleasant Hill, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher Associate (Sp Ed - Lv III) works under the supervision of teachers or other licensed personnel, who retain responsibility for designing and implementing education and related-service programs. The role contributes to students’ social, emotional, and intellectual growth and supports students with diverse needs in educational settings from Pre-K through Grade 12. The associate supports instruction and supervision, classroom and activity preparation, student physical or behavioral needs, and the maintenance of safe, orderly, and sanitary environments. The position also involves documentation, communication with staff, following teacher directions and IEPs, protecting student confidentiality, and completing required training. Work is based on district need, with assigned hours and days determined as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with the needs of Pre-K through Grade 12 students.
Experience working in an educational setting.
Ability to work with students with diverse needs.
Successful completion, at the time of hire, of a physical examination, criminal background check, child abuse registry check, and pre-work screening.
Ability to obtain required training, including medication-administration certification, American Heart Association or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification, and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training.
Ability to stand throughout the workday and work with interruptions.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds to waist level and carry equipment or supplies weighing 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, and leaning postures for up to 40 minutes at a time.
Willingness to come into contact with bodily fluids and contagious diseases.
Ability to use cleaning and sanitizing chemicals with appropriate personal protective equipment.
Ability to work across a broad range of temperatures, humidity, and seasonal environments, and in noisy settings.
Physical dexterity in limbs and digits sufficient to interact with children in classroom and playground environments.
Appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness for working in close proximity to children and adults.
Ability to work with students with varied personalities, capabilities, and physical and mental limitations.

Nice To Haves

Successful work or volunteer experience with people with disabilities.
Supervisory experience with school-age children.
At least 48 post-secondary credit hours or Para educator 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 and other settings, including lunchrooms, playgrounds, and field trips.
Assist with classroom setup and preparation of materials.
Assist with students’ physical or behavioral needs.
Operate standard school equipment, including computers, copiers, and audio-visual equipment.
Complete assigned clerical tasks and keep assigned paperwork current and submitted 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.
Motivate students positively, build rapport, use positive reinforcement, and communicate effectively with students and staff.
Follow Kronos clock-in and clock-out rules, IEPs, teacher directives, and program policies and procedures.
Maintain student confidentiality and discuss student needs only with staff who have an educational need to know.
Report to the assigned center as scheduled and implement daily activities, including crafts, board games, and group activities.
Ensure student health and safety at school, in outdoor play areas, and on field trips.
Record behavioral incidents and complete related reports, such as time-out, problem, and accident reports.
Serve as a positive role model and help students participate as members of the class.
Participate in home visits with the teacher when requested.
Assist with preparation, serving, and cleanup of meals and snacks as needed.
Attend required staff meetings and maintain professional growth and required training and certifications, including Mandatory Reporting Training, First Aid, and CPR.
Complete annual Bloodborne Pathogens training.
Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned by the teacher or principal.
Work with students despite interruptions, occasional inappropriate language, threats of physical violence, or personal habits, while practicing patience and avoiding discouragement.