Special Ed Associate-Elementary

Fort Madison Community School District; Fort Madison (IA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

IPERS

Paid personal/sick leave

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Job summary

Fort Madison Community School District is seeking a Special Education Classroom Associate to provide instructional, supervisory, and behavioral support to PreK–6 students under principal direction. The role focuses on assisting the classroom teacher, guiding small groups or individuals, and maintaining a positive learning environment.

The position emphasizes patience, empathy, and effective communication to promote student development and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Minimum-High school diploma or GED; plus: knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics readiness.
• Must meet one of the following: two years of college, associates degree, Para certification, or NCRC Bronze.
• Proof of qualifications required during the hiring process.
• New associates must complete a 45-work day probation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and distribute learning materials and supplies.
• Set up classroom routines and transitions, greet students, manage classroom technologies.
• Inform teacher of observed behaviors requiring attention or office intervention.
• Support students needing assistance in collaboration with teachers.
• Supervise students in common areas and during transitions.
• Maintain a supportive classroom climate and ensure respectful behavior.

Skills

Patience

Empathy

Communication

Flexibility

Creativity

Child development understanding

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years of college

Associates degree

Para certification

NCRC Bronze

Tools

Chromebooks

Job description

Hours: 7 work hours per day (schedule determined by building admin)

Days: 178 work days; Beginning August 17, 2026 (days prorated if hired after the start of the school year)

Pay Rate: $14.50 per hour

Reports To: Classroom Teacher and Building Administration

Position Summary

To effectively work with students from PreK to 6th grade, individuals need a combination of personal qualities, skills, and knowledge. These essential characteristics include; patience, empathy, communication, flexibility, creativity, and a strong understanding of child development.

The special education classroom associate provides instructional, supervisory and behavioral support to students under the direction of the certified teaching staff and building principal. The associate contributes to a safe and effective learning environment by assisting classroom teacher, working with small groups or individual students and maintaining consistent expectations throughout the school day.

A positive and encouraging attitude can greatly impact a child's learning experience and overall well-being.

Responsibilities

• Help prepare and distribute learning materials, supplies, and equipment for projects or activities.
• Assist in setting up classroom routines and transitions, such as greeting students and ensuring that classroom technologies (e.g., Chromebooks) follow established guidelines.
• Inform the teacher promptly of observed behaviors needing further attention or that may require office intervention.
• Be familiar with established protocols for office-handled behaviors. Work with classroom teachers to support students needing assistance.
• Follow classroom expectations from multiple teachers and building expectations from administration.
• Supervise students in common areas such as bus area, student pickup, playground, lunchroom, classroom, high traffic congested areas and during transitions.
• Help maintain a supportive and compassionate classroom climate.
• Model appropriate language and behavior, ensuring that all students adhere to the school's expectations for being respectful.
• May be required to log for Medicaid.
• Must follow and carryout student IEP's at the guidance of the special ed teacher. Consult with special ed teacher in an ongoing basis.
• Pay close attention to student behaviors, interests, and individual needs to allow educators to tailor their instruction and provide appropriate support.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all students by executing school emergency procedures and protocols effectively during drills and real emergencies.
• Must be able to work patiently with maturing students, as they often have varying learning paces, and may display impulsive or reactive behaviors.
• Work closely with administrative staff during incidents requiring escalation to ensure that appropriate office-handled protocols are followed.
• Monitor classroom technology to ensure that students use digital tools appropriately, in line with guidelines for using school technology to prevent misuse or misinterpretation of communication.
• Be supportive in the learning environment while maintaining the dignity and respect of the students.
• May require exposure to student behavior or medical needs.

Requirements Include But Not Limited To

• Establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students, staff, and others contacted in the course of the work.
• Assist teachers and students in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to classrooms, small groups, and potential one-on-one situations.
• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees, families and others.
• Complete Mandatory CPI training if required.
• Complete district required training and participate in professional development.
• Attend work regularly and promptly-FMCSD attendance expectation for staff is 95%.
• May include crossing guard duties if necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum-High school diploma or GED; plus:

The qualified applicant must meet a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing readiness and mathematics readiness).

The qualified applicant must also have one of the following:

• Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
• Obtained an Associates (or higher) degree; or
• Obtained voluntary Para certification through the Board of Educational Examiners; or
• Obtained NCRC (National Career Readiness Certificate, Bronze Level)

Applicants who are offered a position and qualify to be hired; are required to complete the NCRC before starting in the school district if one of the above is not already met. Proof of above will be required during the hiring process.

• New associates must complete a 45-work day probation

Benefits

This position includes a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes IPERS, paid personal/sick leave and medical/dental/vision insurance

Physical Requirements

Bending, carrying, climbing, driving, lifting, pushing/pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, walking.

Fort Madison Community School District is an EEO/AA employer

Fort Madison Community School District requires background check to be completed before hiring.