Education Assistant

TITLE: EDUCATION ASSISTANT

Summary / Scope

Reporting to the Skeetchestn Community School Principal, the Education Assistant is responsible to work alongside teachers and students to assist all learners including those with exceptionalities. The types of learning guidance provided varies pending personal and educational needs of individual students, and may include providing assistance in creating specific lessons plans with teachers and other professional resource staff. Services may be provided in a variety of educational settings such as standard classrooms, specialized facilities, and work placements. In order to meet the needs of our students, staff assignments may be divided between more than one location; the Educational Assistant is required to have reliable transportation in order to travel between sites. Knowledge about diverse learning needs, or a willingness to train for up, is required. Other related duties as required.

Candidate Profile:

Education Assistant is an individual of mature and professional presentation who possesses a positive attitude and energetic nature, and has a diplomatic personality with a strong desire to educate children and youth and to keep individuals safe. A good sense of humor will assist the successful candidate. Core competencies will include:

• Ethics and Integrity • Reliability and Trust • Confidentiality

• Problem Solving and Mentoring • Listening, Understanding and Responding

• Information seeking, Communication and Collaboration •Self-control and professionalism

Specific Duties

• Implement individual and/or group programs designed to meet the needs of the student or groups of students in and out-of-class or integrated settings;

• Directly monitor identified students to support the completion of school work and assist in the supervision of individuals and/or small groups of students in school and during educational/social outings (e.g., lunch break, recess, swimming, bus training, banking, work placement, etc.);

• Exchange information with; Classroom Teachers, IEP Specialist and other school personnel to implement the prescribed activities and to assist in the preparation or adaptation of regular classroom materials to meet specific individual needs;

• Participate in School Based Team meetings, including Individual Education Plans (IEP), update and planning meetings, to understand families concerns and students’ specialized health or medical needs, and to provide student information that will assist in developing an identified students program;

• Provide reports and/or observations to designated staff on student progress and behaviour, and assist in the collection and sharing of data for the purpose of evaluating student progress;

• Prepare and set out specialized teaching aides and materials as directed by instructional staff and reinforce concepts presented;

• Set out equipment and materials daily and maintain equipment and materials

• Implement behavior modification techniques in accordance with procedures; provide assistance to students through discussion, reasoning and role modeling;

• Initiate self-reflection activities and discussions that assist with the students in meeting school management and discipline expectations;

• As directed by Student Services Resource Teacher (SSRT), or Classroom Teachers, keep a daily journal/record of student activities.

• Provide information to teacher for home/school communication or as outlined in the IEP

• Participates as a team member with the objective of maintaining and improving the self esteem of identified students through their acquisition of basic academic, physical, social, and emotional skills.

• Encourages positive social interactions between identified students and other students in the school;

• Uses modeling and communication skills to promote an increase in levels of independence in students within the school setting;

• Promotes self-advocacy skills for the student in the classroom and in life-skills situations;

• May be required to perform Temporary Teacher On Call duties in the absence of a Classroom Teacher whereby notice given by the Classroom Teacher does not allow Administration ample time to obtain qualified coverage;

• Sets up and dismantles displays, demonstrations, play areas, and performs work related clean up functions;

• Intervenes to keep order among students to ensure safe environment;

• Maintains confidentiality of all work related information

• Maintain student confidentiality and student dignity

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of grade 12 education.
• Three (3) months or more experience working with children and youth in a directly related field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated effective written and verbal communications skills.
• Genuinely committed to helping children learn.
• Culturally sensitive and able to work with any member of the community.
• Ability to recognize all learners and have the ability to achieve increased learning and skills.
• Ability to establish priorities and carry out duties in a professional manner, work independently and as a team member with a multi-disciplinary teaching environment and with other professional staff and service providers.
• Willing to participate in ongoing learning and training and the development of lesson plans.
• Successful completion of security screening requirements, which may include a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as required

• Valid driver’s license

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The aforementioned as well as:

• Education Assistant certification/diploma; or post-secondary education in a related field such as child and youth care, or related Human Services equivalent i.e. psychology, sociology or other related discipline in this type of discipline..

• Demonstrated experience supporting students with exceptionalities

• Fist Aid certification

• Experience working for or a relational understanding of, First Nations Education is an asset.

• Ability to speak Secwepmc is an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.

• May be required to sit/stand for long period of time.

• Required to set out and maintain equipment and materials

• Working as a ‘duty teacher’ is a requirement.