Shelter School Classsroom Associate

Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a Shelter School Classroom Associate.

181-Day Contract (7-hour days) beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Starting pay: $15.30-$15.80/hour with a generous paid leave package in addition to a monthly cafeteria plan allotment of $746.20 and IPERS retirement.

This position will serve the Ottumwa Office in the Shelter Program- Bridges Learning Center.

Position Overview:

The associate support students in the classroom. There are 9 students in the classroom and a classroom teacher providing instruction. This associate will support the instruction throughout the day.

Qualifications:

The associate must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. The candidate must have the experience or capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, cooperative teamwork, and excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities:

• Support students in accessing academic instruction, behavioral supports, and daily routines as directed by teaching staff.
• Build positive relationships with students and provide encouragement, structure, and consistency throughout the school day.
• Collect and maintain student data as directed, including academic, behavioral, attendance, and progress monitoring information.
• Support students during transitions, classroom activities, community-based activities, meals, and other school routines.
• Assist with preparation and organization of instructional materials and classroom resources, lunch, and snack times.
• Participate in team meetings, staffings, and conferences as requested.
• Maintain professional communication and collaboration with teachers, administrators, service providers, and agency staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of all student information in accordance with district, agency, state, and federal requirements.
• Participate in professional learning and staff development opportunities as assigned.
• Assist in maintaining a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed learning environment for students.
• Support implementation of de-escalation, behavior intervention, and crisis response procedures as trained and directed.
• Complete documentation and reporting requirements as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher, program administrator, or supervisor.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can't always be anticipated.