SHS- Special Education Instructional Aide

Special Education Instructional Assistant (IA)

Southmont High School is seeking a compassionate, flexible, and dedicated Special Education Instructional Assistant to join the student support team. Working under the direct supervision of licensed Special Education Teachers and building administration, the Special Education IA plays a critical role in providing academic, behavioral, and personal support to high school students with individualized education plans (IEPs). This role helps foster an inclusive learning environment, empowering students to build independence, achieve academic goals, and succeed across general and special education settings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Instructional & IEP Support
• Individual & Small Group Instruction:
  Reinforce teacher-led lessons and concepts in core academic subjects (reading, writing, math, science, and social studies) for individual students or small learning groups.
• Accommodations & Modifications:
  Implement specific instructional accommodations, testing adaptations, and modifications outlined in students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Assistive Technology:
  Support students in using educational technology, specialized software, and adaptive equipment needed for daily classroom engagement.

• Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support
• Behavior Management:
  Assist in implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Individualized Behavior Support Plans.
• Self-Regulation Assistance:
  Help students practice self-regulation, organizational habits, time-management skills, and appropriate social interactions.
• Progress Observation:
  Assist teachers by observing, collecting data, and recording student behavioral and academic progress.

• Student Supervision & Physical Assistance
• Campus Supervision:
  Supervise assigned students during classroom transitions, hallway passing periods, lunch blocks, study halls, and arrival/dismissal times.
• Personal Care Support:
  Provide physical assistance or personal support to students as required by their specific IEP needs (e.g., mobility assistance, physical accommodations).
• Environment Maintenance:
  Ensure a safe, supportive, and distraction-minimized learning space for all students.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Experience:
  
  Prior experience working with adolescents, youth programs, or individuals with special needs preferred.
• Skills & Abilities:
  Patience, empathy, and strong interpersonal communication skills. Ability to maintain emotional composure, consistency, and professional boundaries in challenging situations. Basic computer literacy (Google Workspace, basic school data management tools).
• Clearances:
  Must successfully pass an expanded criminal background check, Indiana Department of Child Services check, and state-required pre-employment screenings.