Title: Staff Assistant X

Classification Title: Special Education Lead Instructional Staff Assistant

Calendar: A, 180 days

ESP Salary Schedule: Range 110 Step 1
Hours: 8/Day, 40/Week

Location:  Special Education - District Campus

**Strong Internal Candidate**

REPORTS TO: Principal/Director and Mentor Teacher

POSITION GOAL: Under the supervision of the Principal/Director and the Mentor Teacher, the successful candidate will gain skills necessary to become a successful licensed teacher. This position is for internal Education Support Professionals who have demonstrated successful experience as a Staff Assistant and who are in a program to become a Teacher in the Ogden School District. They will be running a classroom under the direction of a Mentor Teacher.

Through collaboration with the Mentor Teacher, they will facilitate instruction of basic social, academic, and/or adaptive/independent living skills to students using a variety of teaching techniques, materials and equipment to initiate and reinforce learning; develop or modify curriculum and prepare lessons and other instructional and functional materials according to ability levels, exceptionalities, and impairments; and, provide appropriate therapeutic or instructional activities to teach other life skills. It is important to note that the Mentor Teacher is the teacher of record for the students, and therefore responsible for the overall performance of the students in the classroom. The duties outlined below are in collaboration with the Mentor Teacher.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assesses student abilities as related to desired educational goals, objectives, and outcomes
• Plans appropriate instructional/learning strategies and activities including determination of appropriate materials and equipment.
• Implements an instructional, therapeutic, or skill development program which provides appropriate experiences as per district and building requirements.
• Continually assesses student achievement through use of formal and informal assessments, maintaining appropriate assessment and initial or re-evaluation documentation for institutional and individual reporting purposes.
• Assigns work to and manages other staff assistants.
• Ensures the instructional environment is safe, clean and conducive to learning and that materials are accessible to students and in good condition.
• Maintains instructional materials, assessment tools, and specialized equipment/programs purchased for the program
• Utilizes a variety of instructional materials and available multimedia and technology to enhance learning.
• Works in a full-time, supplemental, team, departmental, or itinerant capacity, as assigned.
• Participates in professional development and staff development activities and staff meetings as required or assigned.
• Ensure continuous communication with parents, both written and oral, to keep them informed of student progress, curriculum changes, instructional methods, behavioral supports, changes, and progress.
• Communicates with students on expectations and keeps them informed of their progress in meeting those expectations, as appropriate.
• Manages allotted time to maximize student achievement.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of established District curriculum goals, establishes and communicates clear objectives to the students for all lessons, units, and projects to support the district, program,  and objectives.
• Strives by instruction and action to employ the District’s philosophy of education, instructional goals and objectives, and performance expectations.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by the law, District policy, and administrative regulation.
• Develops a code of conduct for the classroom which is consistent with established administrative policies and develops rules of classroom behavior which are enforced in a fair and just manner.
• Maintains an on-going program of professional growth that satisfies District requirements but also satisfies personal expectations as a professional.
• Attends established traditional school-sponsored activities (i.e.: back-to-school night, open house) agreed upon by the district and supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

For Special Education Lead Instructional Positions

The job will require collaboration with other staff and parents to support development of the IEP for each student assigned as well as participation in IEP meetings. 

Provides and/or supervises feeding and/or toileting of students who, because of their disability, do not have feeding and self-help skills or abilities.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to move around the classroom to monitor students
• Manual dexterity to utilize multimedia and computer technology
• Ability to lift and position students as needed
• Ability to control certain behavior through physical restraint as needed
• Ability to assist non-ambulatory students as needed
• Ability to bend, stoop, and climb
• Ability to reach and grasp

Sensory Abilities:

• Visual acuity to read student assignments and lesson plans and to monitor students in the classroom, cafeteria, and/or playground
• Auditory ability to be able to hear students and/or staff in a noisy environment
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly to give instruction

Work Environment: Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions (i.e.; bus duty, recess, fire drills, field day)

Temperament:

• Must be courteous and be able to deal effectively with children, parents, other staff, and the community
• Ability to remain calm and diplomatic in stressful situations
• Must be cooperative, congenial and service-oriented
• Must be persuasive and creative
• Ability to weigh options, think rationally, and evaluate accurately
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team

Specific Skills:

• Knowledge of child development, learning theory, curriculum development, and change theory.
• Ability to implement meaningful educational improvements.
• Ability to organize and carry plans through to completion.
• Ability to utilize effective classroom management skills.
• Ability to plan and implement lessons based on the needs and abilities of the students.
• Ability to demonstrate willingness to adjust to alternative techniques, methods, and programs to meet student’s academic, social, and/or behavioral needs.

Educational Level: Must be in a Teacher Preparation program, or recently graduated with a  Professional Teaching License looking to gain experience. If the position is for a Lead Special Education Instructional Staff Assistant, the candidate must be in a Special Education Teacher Preparation program, or recently graduated with a Professional Special Education Teaching License.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the Director of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodation that will be required.