SPED/EC Associate

M.E. Pearson Elementary; Kansas City (KS); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

KCK M.E. Pearson Elementary in Kansas City, KS seeks a SPED/EC Teacher Associate to support the instructional program, assist the Lead Teacher with special needs students, implement IEP plans, and monitor behavior across classroom and non-classroom settings.

Responsibilities include adapting activities, administering tests, communicating with staff and families, and assisting in daily lesson planning. 186 days, Level 7 classified salary, benefits per district.

Qualifications

• Minimum: 48 college hours or an Associate’s degree, or higher.
• Pass a State approved assessment (Workkeys, ParaPro, or Para Educator).

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities to support students in general and special education settings.
• Assists in administering tests, homework, and make-up work to support lead teachers.
• Supports medically fragile or disabled students with personal care under supervision.
• Communicates with staff and parents to help implement IEP objectives.
• Assists in implementing behavior plans designed by the IEP team.
• Supports lesson plans and maintains instructional materials.
• Monitors student behavior to ensure a safe learning environment.

Education

Associate degree or 48 college hours

Job description

SPED/EC Associate

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This job is also posted in KCK

Job Details

Job ID: 5869928

Application Deadline: May 28, 2027 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)

Re-Posted: Aug 31, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

TITLE: SPED/EC Teacher Associate-ME Pearson

LOCATION: TBD

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic, 24% African American, 9% White, and 6% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees including more than 1,800 teachers.

JOB GOAL:

The job of Paraprofessional 1 is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program within assigned classroom with specific responsibility for assisting the Lead Teacher in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel.

JOB GOAL: To assist the teacher in achieving teaching objectives by working with individual students or small groups to help them achieve the skill levels of the class as a whole.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising/lead teacher to support students in a variety of school environments to include content area subjects.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. to support lead teachers in the general education and special education classrooms.
• Assists medically fragile or physically disabled students in maintaining student’s personal hygiene.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and/or parents to assist in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives under the direction of the lead teacher.
• Implements under the supervision of the assigned lead teacher, behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions (e.g. supportive disciplinary role, reinforces student performance, etc.) to present and/or reinforce learning concepts.
• Implements and adheres to lesson plans created by the general education and special education teachers for the assigned students.
• Maintains instructional materials for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and or meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. general education classrooms, special education classrooms, assemblies, job interviews, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides under the supervision of lead teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. pre/posttests, constructs materials, checks/scores student work, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; and ensuring student success in school.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• May administer immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs.
• Participates in daily and long-range lesson and classroom activity planning.
• Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
• Guides independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work set up and assigned by the teacher.
• Perform other related classroom duties as assigned which could include but is not limited to bus arrival and departure, toileting, meal assistance, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Have completed 48 hours at an institution of higher education OR
• Have an Associate’s (or higher) degree OR

• Pass a State approved assessment. Approved assessments include: Workkeys, ParaPro, or Para Educator (If you do not have a State approved assessment, KCKPS will offer one credential assessment test to candidates recommended for hire)

• Willingness to assist teacher in instructional activities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (not certified by KSDE), Associates of Arts in Early Childhood (preferred), or Child Development Associate certificate-REQUIRED FOR HEAD START POSITIONS (If you do not have a Child Development Associate Credential, KCKPS will offer credentialing to candidates recommended for hire) Can this be moved up to minimum qualifications
• Experience as a teacher’s aide, preferred
• Academic preparation in education, preferred

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION: Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action that will meet the educational needs of students. Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties. Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES : Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional programs; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 186 Days

SALARY: Level 7

Classified Salary Schedule:

https://www.kckschools.org/hr/classified-salary-schedule-work-page

FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Non-exempt

REPORT TO: Principal

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy

Applications will be reviewed prior to the closing date for this position.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individual holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KCKPS is an equal opportunity employer and shall not discriminate in its employment practices and policies with respect to hiring, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex/gender (to include orientation, identity, or expression), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59th Street

Kansas City, KS 66104

913-279-2262

[e-mail]

Position Type: Full-Time