MoCI 1-on-1 (Grade 3-5) Special Education Teaching Assistant (LSFSS)

Sylvania; Saint Clair Shores (MI); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Shore Public Schools in Michigan seeks a dedicated Special Education Teaching Assistant to provide individualized 1:1 support to a student in a Grades 3-5 Moderate Cognitive Impairment (MoCI) classroom at Rodgers Elementary.

Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, the Teaching Assistant will support the student's instructional, behavioral, communication, mobility, personal care, and other needs as identified through the student's educational program.

Qualifications

• Experience providing 1:1 support to students with significant needs.
• Ability to implement PBSP and behavioral supports.
• Willingness to assist with activities of daily living as needed.
• Record data on student performance and progress.
• Strong communication with teachers and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized 1:1 support throughout the day.
• Implement instructional and behavioral strategies as directed.
• Reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, communication, and other goals.
• Collect and record data on student progress.
• Support transitions and mobility as needed.

Skills

1:1 student support

Behavioral support

Data collection

Assistive technology

Team collaboration

Tools

PBSP

Communication devices

Job description

Lake Shore Public Schools is seeking a dedicated Special Education Teaching Assistant to provide individualized 1:1 support to a student in a Grades 3-5 Moderate Cognitive Impairment (MoCI) classroom at Rodgers Elementary. Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, the Teaching Assistant will support the student's instructional, behavioral, communication, mobility, personal care, and other needs as identified through the student's educational program.

The position is approximately 7.5 hours per day. While the primary assignment is to provide 1:1 support to an identified student, the Teaching Assistant works as part of the classroom and school team and may assist with other classroom responsibilities as appropriate and as directed by certified staff.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides individualized 1:1 support to an assigned student throughout the school day, including during classroom instruction, transitions, specials, lunch, recess, and other school activities as appropriate.
• Implements instructional, behavioral, communication, and functional strategies as directed by the certified teacher and other appropriate professional staff.
• Works individually with the assigned student to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, communication, functional academics, social-emotional skills, and other identified learning goals.
• Supports the student's progress toward IEP goals and objectives under the direction of certified and professional staff.
• Utilizes assistive technology, communication devices, visual supports, adaptive equipment, and other tools as appropriate to the student's individual needs.
• Assists with classroom preparations and instructional strategies designed to support the student's successful participation in classroom activities.
• Collects and records data regarding student performance, behavior, participation, and progress as directed by certified staff.
• Implements behavioral supports and strategies, including Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP), as directed and trained.
• Provides support during transitions throughout the school building and assists the student in accessing educational and non-instructional environments.
• Promotes student independence by providing the appropriate level of assistance while encouraging the development of functional, academic, social, and self-care skills.
• Assists with activities of daily living, which may include toileting, hygiene, feeding, dressing, positioning, mobility, and other personal care needs.
• Assists with lifting, transferring, positioning, and mobility when required by the student's individual needs.
• Supports the student's inclusion and participation with peers to the greatest extent appropriate.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and orderly environment and responds appropriately to behavioral, medical, or safety needs consistent with training and established procedures.
• Communicates observations and relevant information regarding the student's performance and needs to the supervising teacher and appropriate professional staff.
• Participates as appropriate in meetings, training, and planning related to supporting the assigned student.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding student information and records.
• Assists with other classroom and student-support responsibilities as directed when consistent with the needs of the assigned student.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures, district policies, and regulations governing assistance to students with disabilities and other special needs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Note: The primary responsibility of this position is individualized support for an assigned student. Student assignments and responsibilities may be modified based upon student needs, enrollment, IEP requirements, staffing needs, or other District considerations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish a supportive, compassionate, and professional relationship with a student with significant special education needs.
• Ability to provide consistent 1:1 supervision and support while promoting student independence rather than dependence on adult assistance.
• Ability to assist with lifting, transferring, positioning, mobility, and other physical support needs.
• Ability and willingness to assist with toileting, hygiene, feeding, and other activities of daily living when required.
• Ability to accompany and support the student during transitions and activities throughout the school environment.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to behavioral and safety needs.
• Willingness and ability to participate in training related to PBSP implementation, de-escalation, behavioral support, assistive technology, communication systems, and other student-specific needs.
• Ability to implement instructional and behavioral strategies consistently as directed by certified and professional staff.
• Ability to collect and accurately record student data.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, related-service providers, paraprofessionals, and other support staff.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand and use personal computers, software applications, assistive technology, and other educational technology.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding students, employees, and others.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, families, and others contacted in the course of work.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA).

• Works in standard elementary school classroom environment.
• Standing, walking, moving, climbing, lifting, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to lift and/or assist with transferring students up to 50 lbs, including support with positioning, mobility, and transitions between activities.
• Ability to respond quickly to student behavioral or safety needs, including bending, kneeling, or moving at floor level to support young students.
• Communicate successfully through speaking with a variety of persons.
• Sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech in classroom levels, and throughout the school building.
• Employees requiring accommodation to perform essential functions should contact Human Resources to initiate the interactive ADA accommodation process.

Compensation

Individuals holding an advanced degree receive the following increase above the regular hourly rate:

• Associate Degree: +$1.00 per hour
• Bachelor's Degree: +$2.00 per hour
• Master's Degree or higher: +$3.00 per hour

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.