Position:                                             Educational Assistant - SPED

Supervisor:                                         Teacher/Principal        

General Job Description:                   To provide opportunities for the teacher to attend to the individual needs of students. To provide assistance in preparing our students academically, socially, and physically to become positive, productive participants in society.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Display a desire to work with students.
2. Serve as a role model.
3. Work as a member of a team.
4. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
5. Assist licensed personnel in school environment where individual differences are respected.
6. Respond to students as individuals.
7. Help maintain cohesiveness in school environment.
8. Assist with supplementary work for students and supervise independent study in the school environment.
9. Use current technology for instructional management needs.
10. Assist licensed personnel with student discipline up to and including safely restraining students.
11. Assist in maintaining students’ involvement in appropriate tasks.
12. Provide assistance with individualized program materials.
13. May assist students with persona hygiene activities such as toileting, diapering, and other personal care activities.
14. Maintain confidentiality.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Work under supervision of certified teacher(s), prepare for classroom activities.
2. Work with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
3. Assist individual children in need of special attention.
4. Guide independent study, enrichment and/or remedial work set up by the teacher(s),
5. Set up audiovisual equipment as directed.
6. Assist with reading and/or storytelling.
7. Assist in small groups of students in the library and other settings.
8. Participate in in-service training programs.
9. Contribute to the welfare and effectiveness of the classroom(s), the school, and the district by adhering to high standards of performance and interpersonal relationships.
10. Model acceptable social skills in working with students, teachers, parents and supervisors.
11. Report unsafe or dangerous surfaces and/or conditions in hallways, restrooms, playgrounds entrances, and classrooms.
12. Respond to the unique needs of the special education student.
13. Other tasks as may be deemed appropriate and necessary by the immediate supervisor, the principal and/or the Superintendent.

Qualifications:

1. High School diploma or GED.
2. Educational course work and prior classroom experience preferred.
3. CPR and First Aid training.
4. Possess or qualify for a New Mexico Level III Educational Assistant license.
5. Demonstrate aptitude for the work to be performed.
6. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

Physical Requirements:

Sitting, standing, lifting, and carrying (up to 50 pounds), climbing stairs, reaching, squatting, kneeling, must be able to see and hear the entire classroom, and moving light furniture may be required.

Equipment/Material Handled:

Must know how to properly operate, or be willing to learn to operate, all multimedia equipment including current technology. Fax machine, laminator, book binders, paper cutters, etc.

Work Environment:

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality. Job responsibilities require both inside and outside assignments. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision. After hours work may be required. Must be able to work under stressful conditions.

Terms of Employment:

• Contract Days
• Salary
• Benefits Available