Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Full Time preferred; Part Time available 
• Demonstrate aptitude for work to be performed
• Successful of a Criminal Record Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.) and fingerprints.
• Passion for working with children/students
• Basic knowledge of child growth and development
• Knowledge of basic behavioral strategies
• Knowledge of basic learning strategies
• • Diversity is a core value of WPS. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive school environment for all and seek to hire team members who will enrich our diversity.

Evaluated by: Department Head or Designee

Job Goal: The role of the Special Education Teaching Assistant is to support the implementation of the Individual Education Program for students with disabilities throughout the school environment, including general education and special education settings. The Special Education Teaching Assistant will provide instructional, social-emotional and behavioral supports needed for student progress toward Individual Education Program goals under the direction of a certified teacher.

Work Year: In accordance with the Wellesley Teachers Association – Unit C

Salary/Benefits: In accordance with the Wellesley Teachers Association – Unit C

Performance Responsibilities:

1. Assist with specific student supports, either as individual or small group, with guidance from teaching staff in the implementation of IEP goals and benchmarks and related behavior plans.
2. Provide student support services in all environments of the school setting under guidance of special education liaison, related service providers, BCBA, Department Heads and/or Principal.
3. Support the academic program, social-emotional needs, behavior programming, physical requirements and ADL’s of individually assigned students, as well as, mastering adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and instructional materials in accordance with individual student needs.
4. Support the social and emotional needs of students through positive relationship building, appropriate support and engaging instruction.
5. Collect data across settings and domains under the supervision of the special educator, related service providers, classroom teacher, and/or BCBA in order to inform them of the progress and challenges experienced by assigned students in addressing their IEP goals.
6. As appropriate, provide coverage for special education staff and general education classroom teachers.
7. Participate in in-service trainings and meetings, as well as, training programs specific to students being served.
8. Reinforce learning of materials or skills introduced by classroom teachers or special education staff.
9. Work in conjunction with classroom teacher to support the learning experiences in the classroom, focusing first on the identified students with IEPs and then for the broader group of students. The goal is to be actively engaged in the learning environment, providing support for all learners.
10. Implement strategies, accommodations and modifications to reinforce the learning, social-emotional, and behavioral goals of students as outlined in their IEP.
11. Support social facilitation throughout all school-sponsored activities.
12. Assist in implementing the school wide goals for maintaining a safe environment.
13. Promote safety management during non-class times of the school day including but not limited to: recess, lunch, emergency drills, school arrival and departures, hallways, field trips, bathrooms, assemblies, and other situations as deemed appropriate for the grade and level position.
14. Perform other job-related tasks and duties as assigned.

Essential Functions of the Job:

1. Maintain a record of regular attendance, arrive and depart at specified contractual times, and notify appropriate personnel when absent.
2. Physical agility and strength to perform job-related tasks appropriate for the age and/or grade level.
3. Ability to complete district approved de-escalation and safety training.
4. Ensure confidentiality regarding all personal information and educational records concerning students and their families.
5. Maintain professional boundaries with students and their families.
6. At times, requires good physical condition in order to support lifting, positioning, and transitioning students as needed.
7. Have a flexible attitude, work well in teams, be responsive and able to adjust when changes in routines are made.
8. Adapt and acquire new skills and knowledge and use them consistently to support student engagement with learning activities, social interactions, and the school day.
9. Integrate into the classroom setting, working under the direction of the classroom teacher and/or special education department head to support student engagement.
10. Maintain professional boundaries with students and their families.

Job Qualifications & Physical Demands:

Job Qualifications:

 Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and possess a high level of capability with technology. 

 Must be able to assist in the protection of students and school property, assist the principal in fire and other emergency drills as required by law and School Committee policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands or arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

 Applicants for employment are considered without regard to age, physical, mental or psychiatric disability, genetics, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, or military status.