Special Education Assistant (Benefit Eligible) - WTA or East

Position Start Date 9 / 3 / 2024 Salary / Wage $20.37 per hour; Benefit Eligible Terms / Schedule 35 hours / week - 7.5 hours / school day, including a 30 min.

unpaid lunch; school calendar, 10 months Appointment Type Full Time Description The Waukesha Transition Academy prepares young adults, ages 18-21, to focus on independent living through community-based partnerships, and a meaningful life-based curriculum through authentic learning experiences building a bridge into adulthood.

Students will engage in a variety of community-based learning activities allowing them to develop work readiness, social and independent living skills.

To achieve this vision, WTA works collaboratively with staff, family, students, and community members.

The selected candidate will work collaboratively with educators to meet the social, emotional, and functional academic needs of a student with special educational needs, age 18-21, in the least restrictive environment.

This candidate will be assisting a student one-on-one with personal needs, community experiences, pre-vocational skills, and daily living skills.

As a part of this assignment, you will be required to assist in classroom modifications, communication and a variety of other programming supports / services for the student.

The right candidate will have grit while working through any situation they may encounter. Everyday is a new day with fresh starts and bright attitudes.

Examples of duties may include but not be limited to the following :

• Convey the content of the message clearly and accurately according to the receptive language level of the student.
• Assist in communication throughout the school day in a variety of settings as outlined in the IEP.
• At the direction of the teacher, work on academic, communication, social, and self-help skills.
• Assist the teacher in behavior management and classroom maintenance activities.
• Assist the teacher in providing instructional activities and reinforcement.
• Physically assist with students including lifting and transfers as needed.
• Implement behavior management strategies for the student or a group of students.
• Assist in the behavior management of students by carrying out plans for students and supervising individual students in both structured and unstructured settings.
• Assist with personal care procedures as needed for students (ex. dressing, toileting, feeding, etc.)
• Other assignments as directed by the teacher or principal of the building.
• Attendance is an essential function of this position. Qualifications
• Interest and / or experience working with students identified with a variety of special education needs including autism, emotional / behavioral disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and health needs.
• Must be eligible for or possess a Special Education Program Aide license #070.
• Must meet ESSA requirements as "Highly Qualified" which requires either an Associate's Degree or the equivalent of at least two years post secondary education.

EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCE :

• Must meet the educational requirements for highly qualified.
• Have at least 2 years of post-secondary education equivalent to 48 credits or an Associates’ Degree.
• Have met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• District and School policies and procedures
• Safety procedures within District and School
• Child development stages
• Approaches and strategies to positively engage and motivate students

LANGUAGE SKILLS :

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and directions.
• Communicate with students in a way which fosters the development of a positive self-image.
• Exercise good judgment in dealings with students, parents, other staff and the public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS :

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY :

• Ability to exercise good judgment and effectively solve problems.
• Utilizing problem-solving techniques in correcting and changing student behavior.
• Using discretion in handling confidential information about students.
• Modeling and reinforcing positive behaviors which are expected of students.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The physical and work environment described is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, walk and hear.
• The employee may occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds (75 pounds for special education assistants).
• Frequently employee may be required to bend, twist, sit or kneel on the floor or crouch.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• This job is performed in a school setting indoors (classroom / cafeteria / hallways) and outdoors.
30+ days ago