Empowering Special Education Instructional Assistant

Sunrise Elementary School; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunrise Elementary School in Charlottesville, Virginia is seeking a LEAP Special Education Instructional Assistant for the 2026-27 school year. The role supports students with significant intellectual disabilities, implements instructional programs, and helps with data on IEP goals.

Requires at least 60 college hours or an associate degree, ParaPro, non-exempt status, and a 189-day contract. The position reports to the Principal and involves collaboration with classroom staff to foster student

Qualifications

• Must have completed at least 60 hours of college credit or earned an associate's or higher degree, or successfully passed the ParaPro Assessment.

Responsibilities

• Assists students, individually or in groups, with developmental and pre-academic needs.
• Supports special education students in the general education environment.
• Collects data on IEP goals and progress as directed by the classroom teacher or case manager.
• Implements, under the supervision of a classroom teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving students’ success.
• Communicates with students using multiple approaches, including repetition, and using verbal and visual tools (pictures/symbols, objects, a communication board, words, signs)
• Provides and supports students’ use of accommodations for physical, language, and developmental disabilities.
• Maintains classroom equipment, work area, and students' files/records for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
• Monitors students for the purpose of identifying required assistance, reinforcing appropriate behavior and social skills, and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs record keeping and general clerical functions for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or providing necessary records/materials.
• After appropriate training, support students with basic toileting, medical needs, and physical needs.
• After appropriate training, support students with behavioral and emotional needs. Works to de-escalate students using appropriate and respectful techniques. Reliably documents incidents.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.

Skills

Operating standard office equipment

Data collection for IEP goals

Communicating with diverse groups

Verbal & visual communication tools

Education

60 hours college credit / associate degree or ParaPro

Job description

Sunrise Elementary School in Charlottesville, Virginia is seeking a LEAP Special Education Instructional Assistant for the 2026-27 school year. The role supports students with significant intellectual disabilities, implements instructional programs, and helps with data on IEP goals.

Requires at least 60 college hours or an associate degree, ParaPro, non-exempt status, and a 189-day contract. The position reports to the Principal and involves collaboration with classroom staff to foster student