SPED Instructional Assistant​/Special Needs HQ - Whispering Wind

2025-26 Instructional Assistant/Special Needs HQ - Whispering Wind

Instructional Assistant/Special Needs HQ

Location:

Whispering Wind Academy
9 months, 6.5 hours/day
Grade 17, $17.50/hour
Non-Interim Position
Dates:
Immediately - 5/22/2026
Benefits: ASRS, Paid Sick/Personal Time, Medical and optional Dental/Vision

Highly Qualified (HQ) Requirements

• HS Diploma or GED and one of the following
• 60 postsecondary hours of college coursework; or
• AA degree; or
• Passing of Para Pro Assessment
• ETS Parapro Assessment
• ACT Workkeys
• The Master Teacher Para Educator

Purpose Statement
The job of Instructional Assistant
- Special Education is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom, a self-contained classroom and/or with an individual student; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel.

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students for the purpose of maintaining students' personal hygiene and immediate healthcare needs.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and parents for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Escorts students for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and safe arrival to and/or from destination.
• Implements under the supervision of assigned teachers, behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Intervenes in potential conflicts utilizing appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches for the purpose of diffusing confrontations and minimizing disruptions.
• Documents instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; providing written reference; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Models conversation, manners, clean up activities, listening, job skills, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitors student's daily schedule and behavior plan for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs general clerical functions for the purpose of supporting the instructional program.
• Provides, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; assisting in adapting to mainstream classroom/s and/or work place; and ensuring students success in school.
• Remains with students at all times for the purpose of providing for the safety of students, removing students when necessary and de-escalating situations outside the classroom.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.

Other Functions
Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications
Skills, Knowledge And Abilities
SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: instructional procedures and practices; age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures;

conflict resolution; stages of child development/ behavior.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of…