Southside School Educational Assistant - Elementary Education Support; Autism Support

Position Summary

Southside School District is seeking a compassionate, patient, dependable, and student-centered Educational Assistant to provide individualized support for an elementary student with autism.

The 1:1 Educational Assistant will work collaboratively with classroom teachers, special education staff, related service providers, and school administrators to support the student's academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and communication needs.

The primary goal of this position is to help the student successfully participate in the school environment, develop meaningful relationships, strengthen independence, and access educational opportunities in a safe, supportive, and inclusive setting.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate flexibility, strong relationship-building skills, a calm and positive approach to challenging situations, and a genuine commitment to helping students succeed.

Open until filled

1. Individualized Student Support

• Provide direct, individualized assistance throughout the school day based on the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and identified needs.
• Support the student's participation in classroom instruction, learning activities, transitions, and school routines.
• Assist the student in developing independence, self-confidence, and appropriate self-advocacy skills.
• Adapt the level of assistance to promote student success without creating unnecessary dependence on adult support.
• Help establish and maintain predictable routines and structured learning environments.

2. Academic and Instructional Support

• Reinforce academic instruction under the direction of the classroom teacher and special education teacher.
• Assist with completing assignments, following directions, organizing materials, and remaining engaged in learning activities.
• Implement instructional accommodations, modifications, and strategies identified by certificated staff.
• Break tasks into manageable steps and provide appropriate visual, verbal, or other instructional supports.
• Encourage participation in general education instruction and classroom activities.

3. Behavioral and Social-Emotional Support

• Implement positive behavior supports and individualized strategies consistent with the student's IEP, when applicable.
• Recognize early signs of frustration, anxiety, sensory overload, or emotional dysregulation and respond proactively.
• Utilize calm, respectful, supportive approaches to help the student regulate emotions and successfully navigate challenging situations.
• Reinforce appropriate communication, coping strategies, and positive social interactions.
• Support the development of appropriate peer relationships and participation in group activities.
• Assist in maintaining a safe learning environment while preserving student dignity and respecting individual differences.

4. Communication and Social Skills

• Support the student's ability to communicate needs, preferences, feelings, and ideas.
• Implement communication strategies and tools recommended by the student's educational team, including visual supports or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), when appropriate.
• Encourage meaningful interactions with classmates and school staff.
• Promote social participation, friendship development, and a sense of belonging.
• Allow appropriate processing time and recognize different forms of communication.

5. Sensory and Self-Regulation Support

• Recognize and respond to individual sensory needs.
• Support the use of sensory tools, movement breaks, designated regulation spaces, and other strategies identified by the educational team.
• Assist the student with transitions between activities, settings, and routines.
• Help the student develop increasing independence in recognizing and managing personal regulation needs.

6. Safety, Supervision, and Personal Care

• Provide appropriate supervision during classroom activities, recess, lunch, transitions, and other assigned school activities.
• Support student safety and follow established school procedures and individualized safety plans.
• Assist with personal care or daily living activities when required by the student's individualized educational needs and assigned duties.
• Follow district policies and required training related to student safety, emergency response, and behavioral support.
• Use physical intervention only when authorized, legally permitted, and consistent with district policy and required training.

7. Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the classroom teacher, special…