S26018 Educational Assistant

Lethbridge School Division; Lethbridge; On-site; CAD 38,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Lethbridge School Division is seeking an Educational Assistant to support students with varying needs from Kindergarten to Grade 12. You will participate in implementing individualized programs, safety plans, and behaviour strategies within a collaborative school team.

The role emphasizes empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to inclusive education, with responsibilities that may include personal care support and assisting with medical needs as required.

Qualifications

• Experience with students with severe behaviour challenges.
• Understanding of neurodiversity (ASD, ADHD, etc.).
• Willingness to provide personal care and lifting when needed.
• SIVA training would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 with varying needs.
• Implement individualized programs and Positive Behaviour Support Plans.
• Attend to safety and supervise students at all times.
• Collaborate with teachers and school staff to maximize student success.

Skills

Behaviour support

Trauma-informed

Team collaboration

Personal care

Job description

Educational Assistant

Educational Assistant The Lethbridge School Division has an opening for an Educational Assistant to support students commencing immediately. Lethbridge School Division is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students that embraces diversity while functioning in a dynamic, innovative, and fast paced environment. Our Division is a proud neighbor to the largest First Nation reserve area in Canada which is called Kainai Nation. We are fortunate to learn from Indigenous communities and are committed to enhancing our understanding of the truths of our past so we can continue to move towards reconciliation.

To help support student success, we are seeking an empathetic, compassionate, optimistic, patient and adaptable individual to join our team. The successful candidate will contribute to the growth and development of students by learning alongside them and providing personalized support and creating a positive, engaging educational experience. The Educational Assistant works with students requiring targeted and specialized supports and services to effectively participate in their learning community. Tasks performed are varied and dependent on student needs. Responsibilities include assisting with and adapting academic tasks, implementation of strategies intended to support socially appropriate behaviours, attending to physical needs as well as medical needs specific to individual students, and monitoring progress. Educational Assistants work collaboratively within the school community to share information, reflect on effectiveness of strategies, suggest modifications to existing or novel strategies to maximize student success.

While working under the direction of teachers, educational assistants primarily focus on identified students and will be adept at quickly developing trust and rapport with students and staff. Educational Assistants are an integral part of a dynamic and collaborative team, who work supporting students requiring behavioural supports and/or complex physical disabilities/developmental delays and will be expected to assume other duties, as required.

What will you do?

• Applicants will work as a team to support students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 with varying needs, including behavioural challenges and/or complex physical disabilities, developmental delays and/or severe medical needs.
• Duties will include ensuring all students' safety at all times, implementing individualized programs and carrying out Positive Behaviour Support Plans as developed by the student's Learning Team.
• Lethbridge School Division makes every effort to ensure staff and student safety, while understanding not every behaviour on the part of students, can be anticipated.
• Targeted behaviours may include, but are not limited to, severe opposition, hitting, kicking, spitting, biting, scratching, and throwing of objects and the use of inappropriate and/or threatening language.
• Specialized training such as Supporting Individuals through Valued Attachments (SIVA) would be an asset.
• 29.50 hours scheduled Monday - Friday

What do you need to succeed?

• Training and/or experience working with students with severe behaviour challenges is necessary as well as an understanding of neurodiversity, such as ASD, ODD, FASD, ADHD and/or other behavioural disabilities.
• Preference will be given to the candidate with proven experience executing Positive Behavior Support Plans.
• Training and/or experience supporting students with Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy and/or Speech-Language acquisition needs would be an asset.
• Lethbridge School Division embraces a philosophy/belief of inclusion for all students.
• Consequently, the successful candidate must have a willingness to provide personal care, lifting, and toileting support for students, with appropriate assistance and/or training provided as needed.
• The successful candidate may also be required to participate in community activities such as swimming and skating.
• Educational Assistants may also be working with students with limited experience within formal school settings and may support students with English as an additional language.
• A strong understanding of Trauma Informed practice, resiliency, building connections, self-regulation supports and strategies, and conflict resolution skills is an asset.
• In addition, willingness to participate in ongoing professional learning is expected as our Division promotes a learner mindset for staff and students.
• The successful candidate will be able to create rapport with all students and staff and adapt to dynamic learning environments.
• Being self-directed, flexible and finding creative ways to connect with and regulate students are considered to be important skills of the successful candidate.
• Additionally, the successful candidate must have strong communication skills and show initiative in solving problems and creating opportunities for student success.
• Applicants will possess, or develop, a true working knowledge within ear