Instructional Assistant Special Education - Self-Contained - Westwood High School

Position: Instructional Assistant Special Education I - Self-Contained - Westwood High School
* Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.

* East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type:

Full-time (32.5 hours per week)

Base Hourly:

$17.32

Class/Calendar:

A11b, 9.25 months

Benefits:

Sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire

Experience:

1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire

Education:

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

To assist, under direct supervision of certified teachers and specialists, in the monitoring and instruction of special education students implementing the Individual Education Plans; to assist students in performing their academic, daily living and health care activities; to relieve teacher of routine clerical tasks.

Key Responsibilities:

* Deliver, under teacher's direction, classroom work/homework and/or reinforce classroom objectives, tutoring and guided practice

* Assist the development of instructional materials and maintenance of classroom

* Assist in the collection of data on academic and behavior goals as instructed

* Implement positive behavior intervention plans for students who display challenging behaviors including verbal and physical aggression

* Respond to problem behaviors according to the student's positive behavior intervention plan and district crisis intervention policy

* May be required to assist students who need support in addressing personal care needs due to a severe medical condition and/or physical limitations (i.e. toileting, feeding, dressing suctioning, etc) to ensure their functioning in a school environment

* Accompany students as they transition across campus

* Monitor individual and/or small student groups in classroom and/or on the playground to maintain a safe and positive learning environment; facilitate social peer interactions

* Maintain classroom and student equipment to ensure a safe environment

* Model professional, safe, responsible and respectful behavior

* Perform general clerical tasks to support the teacher in the maintenance of student files and to provide classroom materials

* Participate in various meetings to share information and/or improve one's skills and/or knowledge

* Regular and on-time attendance required

* Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

* Experience working with children preferred

Skills &

Competencies:

* Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate

* Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community

* Ability and willingness to work with special education students who may require specialized instruction to meet academic, social, and behavior goals

* Ability to work well with students, staff and parents; good verbal and written communication skills

* Ability to work well in stressful situations

* Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications (Word, Excel, etc)

* Ability to operate standard office equipment

* Ability to organize and prioritize and to follow classroom guidelines as put forth by classroom teacher

Work Environment &

Physical Requirements:

* Works closely with special education teachers, general education staff, therapists, and administrators

* May be resource rooms, inclusion settings, or self-contained classrooms

* Supports students with disabilities, which may include intellectual, developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities

* Each day can vary based on student needs, schedules, behavior, and support plans

* Must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, and kneel frequently throughout the day

* May need to lift or assist students who have physical disabilities, including transferring students to and from wheelchairs, standing frames, or other equipment (commonly 25-50 lbs, but…