Special Education Associate

The Central DeWitt Community School District is hiring for a Special Education Associate at Ekstrand Elementary School. The morning hours will be in the Preschool and the afternoon hours will be in K-3.

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.

Essential Functions

• Assists and guides students to reinforcereading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Workswith students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assistsprofessional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompaniesstudents on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies, distributes and uses educational materials as needed.
• Assiststhe teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement of IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in the IEP process and serves as a resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assists students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Selects and requisitions appropriate books, aids and other supplies and equipment and maintains inventory records.

Additional Duties

• Assists wtih guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned.

The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Travel Requirements

• Travelsto school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Abilityto carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effectivewriting and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Worksin standard office and school building environments.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

Qualifications Profile

• Anycombination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

• High School diploma or equivalent.

• Priorexperience working with special needs children is desirable.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job skills and functions, subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Salary : $30,000 - $50,000