Educational Assistant

The King's Daughters' School; Columbia (TN); On-site; USD 17,218 - 24,523; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution seeks an Educational Assistant to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. The role involves assisting a teacher, engaging students in activities, and maintaining a positive classroom environment. Candidates must have a high school diploma and a demonstrated ability to handle the physical demands of the job. This full-time position operates weekdays from 7 AM to 3 PM. Successful applicants will contribute to a supportive educational experience for all clients.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of disabilities and the organization's mission.
• Ability to act quickly in emergencies.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in teaching and training of students.
• Engage students in activities.
• Demonstrate positive interactions with students.
• Supervise students during meals and activities.
• Maintain a clean classroom environment.

Skills

Ability to communicate verbally and in writing

Judgment and responsibility

Ability to deal tactfully with co-workers

Physical ability to lift items over 40 lbs

Experience with individuals with disabilities

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Columbia, TN 38401

Education Level: High School Diploma or equivalent

Salary Range: $15.15 - $15.15 Hourly

Job Shift: Weekdays 1st shift

We are seeking an Educational Assistant to care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism alongside a teacher or classroom coordinator.

Current Openings

Full-time Mon-Fri 7am-3pm

PRN - work as needed

Essential Functions

• Assist the Teacher or Classroom Coordinator to whom assigned in direct teaching and training of students, management of students, development of materials, record keeping, reporting progress and observing and charting behavior.
• Engage with students in individual or group activities to ensure that downtime is kept to a minimum as is appropriate.
• Demonstrate positive interactions with students for role-modeling and instruction.
• Utilize accepted methods of classroom discipline and behavior management techniques.
• Utilize the time between 7:00am – 8:30am or as assigned to work in the residential program preparing clients for school and maintaining the residence cleanliness; utilize the time between 8:30am – 3:00pm or as assigned for direct teaching, observing and charting behavior and performing skills assessments.
• Utilize the breakfast and/or lunch period for supervising assessing and training cafeteria behavior, manners, interpersonal relationships, and appropriate social interactions.
• Supervise clients in the residence during teacher in-service trainings.
• Instruct clients through modeling and hands-on training in eating habits, personal hygiene and care and social appropriateness.
• Maintain a clean, healthy classroom environment for all clients by performing routine cleaning.
• Complete 24 hours of in-service trainings annually.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employee should make employer aware of any request for accommodations in a timely manner, either upon hire or as soon as need for accommodation arises. Employee signature below constitutes employee’s understanding of agreement to perform requirements, essential functions and duties of the position. This job description is not considered a contract for any specific period of time and employment at The King’s Daughters’ School is at-will.

Our Mission

The King’s Daughters’ School promotes independence through educational, residential and community services for individuals with developmental disabilities, continuing a 100-year legacy of service.

Our Vision

The King’s Daughters’ School will improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities through caring, goal-oriented service delivered by dedicated staff in a safe, warm learning environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Disabilities and the organization’s mission

Ability to

• Think and act quickly in the event of an emergency.
• Accept responsibility and use good judgment.
• Deal tactfully with co-workers, clients and the general public.
• Communicate verbally and in writing, with all individuals associated with KDS.
• Kneel, bend and clean on knees; perform a therapeutic hold that requires kneeling/sitting on knees for up to 15 minutes; holding an individual for 15 minutes; move furniture and lift items that weigh at least 40 lbs.; stock shelves which includes being able to lift items over your head and stack them onto shelves; mopping, sweeping, and moving chairs, tables and appliances.
• Be present at scheduled times and dressed according to policy guidelines.
• Ability to act as a surrogate parent to client while supporting and respecting the client and his/her family.

Additional Requirements

• Performs other essential and marginal job functions as assigned.
• This position may require use of KDS vehicles in transporting students and occasionally personal vehicles on KDS business (non-transporting) and therefore requires a valid class D driver’s license.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent with proof of education prior to employment.
• Experience working with individuals with development disabilities is preferred.
• Provide evidence of a current TB Skin Test upon hire and prior to first day of employment.
• Handle With Care Training upon hire and prior to first day of contact with students and maintain certification annually.
• CPR/First Aid training upon hire and maintain certification annually.
• Medication Administration Training and Driver Training may be required based on the needs of the program.
• Successful completion of all pre-employment background screenings.
• Be in good health and free of mental and/or physical limitations which would interfere in dealing appropriately with the client’s handicapping conditions and behavior disorders.