Special Education Instructional Assistant

Special Education Instructional Assistant

We are looking for a compassionate, patient, and dedicated Special Education Instructional Assistant to join our team. In this role, you will work side-by-side with our Lead Special Education Teachers to provide academic, behavioral, and emotional support to students with diverse learning needs. Your day-to-day will involve implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), modifying assignments, and fostering an inclusive, safe classroom culture.

If you love celebrating small victories that make a massive difference in a child's life, this is the place for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Instructional Support:
  Reinforce lessons presented by the lead teacher by working with students individually or in small groups to master academic concepts.
• IEP Implementation:
  Help track, monitor, and document student progress toward specific learning and behavioral goals outlined in their IEPs.
• Behavioral Support:
  Implement positive behavior intervention strategies to help students manage frustrations, stay on task, and navigate social interactions safely.
• Accommodations & Modifications:
  Adapt classroom materials (e.g., scaling reading levels, organizing visual schedules) under the direction of the special education teacher.
• Daily Living Assistance:
  Provide physical or personal care assistance as required by specific student needs (may include mobility assistance, feeding, or toileting support depending on assignment).
• Collaboration:
  
  Maintain open, professional communication with teachers, therapists, and administrators regarding student progress and well-being.

Qualifications & Skills Required

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma or equivalent AND one of the following:
  Associate degree or higher, OR 48 college semester credits, OR Passing score on the Para Pro Assessment (or state-equivalent exam).
• Clearances:
  Ability to pass a comprehensive criminal background check, fingerprinting, and child abuse clearances.
• Attributes:
  Exceptional patience, emotional resilience, and a deep sense of empathy for children with varying abilities.

Preferred (Nice-to-Have):
Previous experience working with children with special needs (Autism, ADHD, developmental delays, etc.) in a school, camp, or daycare setting. Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or de-escalation training. First Aid/CPR certification. Bilingual skills.