Special Education Assistant: Impactful Classroom Support

Michigan Association of School Boards; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Association of School Boards seeks Special Education Assistant Teacher candidates for the Saint Joseph County ISD. Positions support teachers in instructional and behavioral plans across elementary programs, including off-site settings as needed.

The role emphasizes assisting students with daily living, mobility, communication, and social skills, while ensuring a safe, dignified classroom environment per MEAA guidelines. Collaboration with staff is required.

Qualifications

• Be a high school graduate, or equivalent, with an associate degree or have completed two years of college (60 college credits) from a community college or degree-granting institution.
• Be a high school graduate, or equivalent, that has passed a rigorous standard of quality and demonstration, through a formal state or local academic assessment, that has been approved by the Michigan Department of Education for instructional paraprofessionals to meet the No Child Left Behind act.
• Be a high school graduate, or equivalent, which has a portfolio assessment that has met the Michigan Department of Education guidelines for instructional paraprofessionals as outlined to meet the No Child Left Behind act.
• Responsibility of employee to obtain and maintain all training(s), certificate(s), approval(s), etc. and provide documentation to the business office before expiration date of said document(s).
• Must have regular and reliable job attendance, performance, and the physical ability to do the job.

Responsibilities

• Assist the teacher with the implementation of individual instructional and/or behavioral plans.
• Assist the teacher with instruction in the cognitive domain (i.e. communication, functional academic skills, etc.).
• Assist the teacher with self-help skills development (i.e. toileting, dressing/undressing, eating, etc.).
• Assist the teacher with community based instruction (i.e. functional academics, communication, mobility training, social skills/behavior training, recreation/leisure, etc.).
• Assist the teacher with group activities (i.e. group music, special programs, arts, crafts, etc.).
• Assist the support/ancillary staff (i.e. PT, OT, etc.) with gross and fine motor skills (i.e. grasping items, mobility, directionality, etc.).
• Assist physical education teacher with gym and swim programs.
• Assist the Sub-Teacher in following teacher’s lessons plans, completing student correspondence books, daily attendance and lunch counts.
• Assist in committees for special events and programs during school hours (i.e. parties, plays, Family Fun Night, carnival, etc.).
• Work as a team with teachers and other staff to pursue and meet individual performance objectives, collect student data, assist students in personal care and create an organized, positive and safe classroom environment which maintains the dignity of the individual student.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with Associate degree or 60 college credits

High school diploma or equivalent with state-approved qualification for paraprofessionals

High school diploma or equivalent with portfolio assessment per MDE guidelines

Maintain training/certifications as required

Regular reliable attendance and physical ability to perform duties

Job description

Michigan Association of School Boards seeks Special Education Assistant Teacher candidates for the Saint Joseph County ISD. Positions support teachers in instructional and behavioral plans across elementary programs, including off-site settings as needed.

The role emphasizes assisting students with daily living, mobility, communication, and social skills, while ensuring a safe, dignified classroom environment per MEAA guidelines. Collaboration with staff is required.