Special Education Assistant

Job Title: Special Education Assistant

Level: K-4

Reports To: Principal

Salary: Per Education Assistant Contract (Compensation: $16.50-$17.15 per hour based on education and experience; wages outlined in the Education Assistant contract located on the district website)

Start Date: 08/26/2024

Hours: 7.5 hours per day, 173 duty days per school year

Non‑Exempt

Full Benefits: paid sick and personal leave

Union: ED MN – Educational Assistant

The Special Education Paraprofessional will assist and carry out the goals, objectives and adaptations in the individual education plan of special needs students in various settings; classrooms, physical education, lunchroom, bus loading area, cafeteria and common spaces.

• Carrying out the duties and responsibilities outlined in a student’s individual education plan.
• Assist student(s) in individual and group settings whether in the resource room or inclusive educational setting, including community or volunteer settings.
• Provide specialized instruction/interventions/accommodations as outlined in the IEP.
• Team with the classroom teacher and/or special education teacher to deliver classroom instruction.
• Demonstrate and model appropriate developmental and behavioral skills through play or interaction with the child.
• Assist the individual student in self‑help and independent living skills – dressing, toileting, eating, assistive devices, and support students in developmentally adaptive physical education activities and Special Olympics events.
• Supervise students during lunch, time‑out situations, recess, field trips, and emergency situations or in a temporary absence of the teacher.
• Monitor classroom instruction to ensure student progress and maintain a safe learning environment.
• Bus duty: ride the bus, follow prescribed bus programs, meet the bus, and report on student bus behavior/needs to the case manager.
• Participate physically with students in activities being taught.
• Collaborate with Special Education Teachers, Classroom teachers and related service providers to ensure student safety and success.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Develop effective working relationships with students.
• Support building and classroom discipline policy.
• Maintain good communication skills and a cooperative working environment with other school staff.
• Participate in assigned professional development.
• Maintain knowledge of building procedures manual and school district policies.
• Work cooperatively with the building administrator, accepting constructive feedback and direction.
• Address disagreements with fellow employees constructively and respectfully.
• Monitor student progress on assigned tasks.
• Follow school district policy in reporting suspected abuse/neglect.
• All other duties as identified by the team in the IEP process for individual situations.
• Other special education related duties as assigned by the proper administrative authority.

• Meet highly‑qualified requirements for paraprofessional (two‑year associate degree, 60 college credits, para‑pro or para e‑link certification).
• Experience working with students with physical, cognitive and/or mild behavioral needs.
• Handle with Care Training – certification required within three months of being hired and maintained during employment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to be a member of a team.
• Flexible based on program and student needs.
• Assist students in individual or group settings, including in the community as a job coach.
• Implement and follow through on specific therapies and programs for an individual as prescribed by the IEP.
• Collect data on student progress as defined in the Individual Education Plan.
• Remain calm and patient in volatile situations.
• Work under the supervision of a site principal and/or special education teacher.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously while dealing with constant interruptions.
• Work with students, families, professionals, and staff of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Interact with and maintain cooperative relationships with all levels of staff and the public.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Apply online.