Instructional Assistant - Educational Alternatives

Instructional Assistant - Educational Alternatives

Hours: 29 Hours/Week

Title: Instructional Assistant – Educational Alternatives

Organizational / Labor Relationship: Collective Bargaining Agreement – East Penn School District and Administrative Assistant and Instructional/Staff Assistant Employees

Status (FLSA): Non-exempt, 10 month position, Instructional Assistants can work on normal student days

Reporting Relationships: Ascending – Director of Educational Alternatives;
Descending – none

Evaluation: Instructional Assistants are reviewed after the initial 90 days of employment and annually thereafter by the Director of Educational Alternatives

The Instructional Assistant for Educational Alternatives supports and assists with the academic, social emotional or physical needs of students in the VESPA and STEP programs at the secondary level. The support and assistance includes one‑on‑one or group work to reinforce academic, social emotional and executive functioning skills, assist with classroom management and the implementation of student support plans.

Experience working in an educational setting, preferred.

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
• Must acquire and maintain a current and active CPR and basic first aid certification
• Meet one of the requirements below:
  • Have completed at least two (2) years of post secondary study
  • Possess an associate’s degree or higher
  • Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a State or local assessment
  • "Para Educator Credential of Competency" as issued by PDE

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar
• Ability to effectively communicate with students, staff, parents, and administrators
• Ability to build and maintain working relationships and positive rapport with students, staff, parents and administrators
• Ability to organize and plan effectively
• Ability to attend work regularly at assigned work hours subject to lawful leave rights and responsibilities
• Ability to use all applicable technological equipment and software to support student learning
• Ability and knowledge to use technology to communicate with students, parents, staff, and administrators
• Ability to carry out assigned tasks with limited supervision
• Basic familiarity with adaptive and/or medical equipment as required for individual students
• Understand and comply with confidentiality protocols
• Understanding of foundations of special education
• Understanding of diversity as related to disability, learning styles, and cultures
• Understanding the process of delivery of instruction
• Understanding learning environments and social interactions
• Understanding components and reasons for assessment
• Understanding of responsibility for professional and ethical practice demonstrated by fairness and impartiality
• Understanding of the process of collaboration
• Ability to perform basic clerical tasks
• Knowledge of basic computer skills
• Ability to maintain discipline of students in all school settings
• Knowledge of operation of basic office machinery

• Work with an individual or groups as directed by the classroom teacher to reinforce skill development
• Work with individual, pairs, or groups of students to monitor or direct activities as directed by classroom teacher
• If appropriate, monitor and tend to the physical needs of students as required.
• Monitor students as necessary in all school settings including, but not limited to, cafeteria, hallways, library, classrooms, study halls, on and off bus, etc.
• Complete clerical duties such as copying, assembling, laminating, answering phones, etc… as assigned by the classroom teacher
• Other duties as assigned by classroom teacher or building administrator(s).
• Provide a safe, secure and positive educational environment through appropriate student supervision and intervention
• Assist with an individual student or groups of students as required by the IEP or the School District to reinforce educational skill development including but not limited to academic content areas and/or daily living…