Teacher Associate (Sp Ed - Lv II/III)

Southeast Polk Community School District; Pleasant Hill (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeast Polk Community School District seeks a Teacher Associate to support Special Education in the Junior High. The role involves assisting with small groups, managing specific student needs, and helping with classroom activities and safety.

Under supervision of licensed teachers, you will help implement education programs, follow IEP directives, and participate in required trainings. A HS diploma/GED, background checks, and relevant coursework are required, with CPI/First Aid CPR training

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Ability to work with Pre-K–12 students.
• Background checks and pre-work screening are required.
• Experience in an educational setting is preferred.
• Ability to obtain training in CPR/First Aid, CPI, and medication administration.
• Ability to work with students with diverse needs.

Responsibilities

• Assists with small groups and individual student instruction.
• Maintains safe, orderly learning environments in classrooms, lunchrooms, and on field trips.
• Supports classroom setup and material preparation.
• Assists students with physical or behavioral needs.
• Operates standard school equipment and completes clerical tasks.
• Ensures health precautions and confidentiality of student information.
• Follows IEP directives and teacher instructions.
• Participates in required staff meetings and training.

Skills

Educational setting experience

First Aid/CPR training

CPI training

Medication administration training

Education

High School Diploma or GED

48 credit hours / Para educator cert

Job description

SOUTHEAST POLK COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Description

Title: Teacher Associate (Sp Ed - Lv II/III)

Hours: 7:30-3:05 pm (M-T-Th-F), 9:30-3:05 pm (W)

Location: Junior High

Qualifications

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work with the needs of all Pre-K thru 12th Grade students.
• Successful completion of physical, criminal background and child abuse registry check, and pre-work screening at time of hire.
• Experience working in an educational setting.
• Ability to obtain required training, including but not limited to the following: certification to administer medication to students, American Heart or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification, Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI)
• Ability to work with all students with diverse needs.

Desired

• Successful work or volunteer experience with disabled population
• Supervisory experience with school age children
• 48 credit hours post-secondary education or Para educator certification from the Iowa Department of Education

Reports to:

Building Principal and Director of Special Education

Job Goal

To work under the supervision of teacher(s) or other licensed personnel who have the ultimate responsibility for the design and implementation of education and related service programs; to contribute to the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children and youth.

Performance Responsibilities

• Assists with small groups and/or individual student instruction and supervision.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment in a variety of school settings; i.e., classroom, lunchroom, playground, field trips.
• Assists with classroom set up and material preparation.
• Assists with physical or behavioral needs of individual students.
• Operates standard school equipment; i.e., computer, copier, audio-visual equipment.
• Completes clerical tasks as assigned.
• Uses standard universal health precautions.
• Reads and comprehends at the student's grade level or above.
• Practices being a positive motivator and able to develop working rapport with the student.
• Relates to and interacts with students using positive reinforcement and effective communication.
• Communicates effectively with all staff.
• Follows Kronos rules for clocking in and out.
• Follows IEP and teacher's directives.
• Does not get visibility upset by occasional bad language, threat of physical violence or personal habits of students.
• Practices patience and does not become easily discouraged.
• Helps student(s) to become one of the class.
• Maintains confidentiality and student privacy by only discussing student needs with staff that have an educational need to know the information.
• Reports to assigned center as scheduled.
• Implements daily activities (crafts, board games, activities, large group games or activities).
• Maintains a clean, sanitary, orderly and safe environment.
• Ensures the health and safety of the student at the building, on the outdoor play areas and on field trips.
• Is knowledgeable about program policies and procedures.
• Records behavioral incidents (time out, problem reports, accident reports, etc).
• Keeps all assigned paperwork up-to-date and submits in a timely manner (such as Medicaid, student academic or behavioral data)
• Serves as a positive role model for the students.
• Participates in home visits accompanied by the teacher when asked.
• Assists in the preparation, serving, and clean up of breakfast, lunch and snacks as needed.
• Attends required staff meetings.
• Maintains professional growth, current Mandatory Reporting Training, First Aid, CPR certification as required by state and federal regulations.
• Assumes duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Teacher or Principal.
• Completes annual Bloodborne Pathogens training.

Physical Demands

• Must be capable of standing throughout the work day.
• Must present appropriate appearance and personal cleanliness suited to working in close proximity to school age children and adults.
• Must be able to work with interruptions during a work shift.
• Must be capable of working with students with different personalities, capabilities, and physical and mental limitations.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds to waist level.
• Must be capable of carrying equipment or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds for a distance of 50 feet.
• Must be capable of standing, walking (at variable speeds and duration to include running) and changing positions quickly throughout the workday (to include sitting on and getting up from the floor, sitting at different levels when using adult or various child height chairs (ranging from 12\" seat height and above and getting up from these chairs); maintaining sustained kneeling, crouching, bending, leaning down and leaning over postures up to 40 minutes at a time).
• Must be willing to come into contact with body fluids such as urine and feces, blood and nasal secretions and contagious diseases such as flu and the common cold.
• Must be capable of using cleaning and sanitizing chemicals with appropriate PPE.
• Must be capable of working in broad range of temperatures, humidity and other winter and summer environments.
• Must be capable of working in a noisy environment.
• Must have physical dexterity in limbs and digits necessary to physically interact with children in a playground and classroom environment.

Note: The physical demands described above represent real life tasks an employee may need to perform as part of the essential functions of this job. While the frequency may be low, the above stated physical demands may be required during the course of a daily work shift. Tasks that have physical demands that exceed the above stated limits should only be performed with sufficient manpower or material handling equipment.

Clothing

• Outdoor clothing including coats, boots, gloves, and hat dependent on environmental conditions.
• Appropriate footwear for an environment where sharps, chemicals or body fluids may fall onto exposed skin.

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of Southeast Polk Board Policy.

Terms Of Employment

• Employment based on need.
• Hours and number of days assigned as need requires.

Disclaimer

The statements of this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. These statements are not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision.

It is the policy of the Southeast Polk Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact, Joseph M. Horton, Associate Superintendent, Affidative Action Coordinator, Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Southeast Polk District Office, 407 8th St SE, Altoona, IA 50009, [phone], [e-mail]. Inquiries or grievances may also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines, IA, 50319-0201, [phone]; or the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604.