Instructional Aide, SPED

Aspire Public Schools; East Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

100% core health benefits coverage

Tuition reimbursement plan

Job summary

A leading charter school network based in California is seeking a Special Education Assistant to support students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). This role involves direct assistance to students, collaborating with educators to implement tailored educational strategies, and ensuring appropriate accommodations during tests. The ideal candidate has significant knowledge of child cognitive development and flexibility to adapt methods based on student needs. This position offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits in an inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• 1+ year working with students in special education with moderate/severe needs.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Aspire Public Schools.
• 1+ year working with students in special education with moderate/severe needs or urban communities.

Responsibilities

• Assist Special Education teacher in supporting students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Provide interventions directly to students under the guidance of Special Education teachers.
• Help provide accommodations during testing.
• Help provide testing accommodations, e.g., supervise student testing or extended time.
• Assist with health-related needs (e.g., g-tube, feeding) under supervision of school nurse.
• Collaborate with the IEP team and other service providers to support learning.

Skills

Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles

Familiarity with students that demonstrate moderate-severe needs

Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions

Ability and willingness to implement students’ individualized education programs

Good judgment to modify activities

Classroom support

Education

Associate’s degree or successful completion of 2 years of college experience

Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field preferred

Job description

Overview

We are accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year in Aspire Bay Area Region Schools.

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

The Opportunity: Behind every successful student is a passionate and dedicated team. Together, we will change the odds for underserved students, ensuring that every student is prepared to earn a college degree.

What You Will Do

• Assist Special Education teacher in supporting students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) within the school setting.
• Provide services, supports and interventions directly to students, under the guidance and daily supervision of the Special Education teachers.
• Assist in providing materials to help classroom teacher create curriculum modifications for students.
• Help provide testing accommodations, e.g., supervise student testing in a separate location or during an extended time, etc.
• Implement the IEP with fidelity (i.e. provide 1:1 support to student in classroom, support student(s) with toileting needs, assist with health-related needs (g-tube, feeding, administration of medication) under supervision of school nurse and assist with the physical needs of students (lifting/ assisting with mobility, implementing student stretching/exercise routines).
• Create and implement instructional materials that are accommodated/modified for individualized students.
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Regularly collaborate with members of the IEP team (GE teacher, Education Specialist, Speech and Language Pathologist, Instructional Aides, Administrators, Program Specialist and Other Service providers).

What You Will Bring

• Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles
• Familiarity with students that demonstrate moderate-severe needs
• Ability and willingness to implement students’ individualized education programs
• Ability and willingness to reflect and improve on practice
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions; ability and good judgment to take initiative to modify activities
• Associate’s degree or successful completion of 2 years of college experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Teaching, or related field preferred
• 1+ year working with students in special education with moderate / severe needs or students from urban communities in an educational setting

Compensation

Aspire offers its full-time employees a competitive salary and benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program.

Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.