Exceptional Children Program Assistant
Job Description
Position: Exceptional Children Program Assistant (ECPA)
School/Department: Sterling Montessori Academy and Charter School
Reports To: EC Director/Executive Director
Work Week Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Work Hours Per Week: 40
Number of Months Per Year: 10
Nature of Work:
The EC Program Assistant (ECPA) provides support to the classroom teacher and other
professionals in the supervision, instruction, social emotional and positive behavior support of
students with disabilities, ages 3-14 years, in a variety of settings, including classroom, recreational
and community to achieve established goals and objectives, including personal care and mobility.
The ECPA provides individual assistance with academics, behavioral problems, personal care and
mobility, and may lead small group activities as directed. The ECPA assists the teacher with general
housekeeping and clerical duties as needed.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
? General knowledge of the varying needs of students with disabilities
? General knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques used in the teaching of the
exceptional children population
? General knowledge of the activities performed by the lead teacher
? General knowledge of the daily routines of the classroom
? General knowledge of student handbook rules and regulations
? General knowledge of procedures to follow in an emergency
? General knowledge of Montessori philosophy, teachings, and practices
? General knowledge of the curriculum for the assigned grade(s)
? General knowledge of Positive Discipline
? General knowledge and understanding of behavior strategies/interventions
? Ability to constantly monitor the safety and well-being of students, particularly when a student
is participating in an inclusive activity
? Ability to motivate students
? Ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations and to remain calm in stressful
situations
? Ability to operate necessary equipment (adaptive, audio visual, computer, etc.)
? Ability to maintain files and information
? Ability to take direction from lead teacher and director
? Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
? Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with teachers, colleagues,
parents, students, and administrators
? Ability to adapt to individual needs of teachers and students and work with interruptions
? Ability to understand, manage and relate to students who have may behavioral problems, cognitive and physical disabilities
? Strong classroom management skills to assist in maintaining order and discipline in the classroom
? Skills to assist with data collection
? Competency in basic skills such as reading, math, spelling and grammar
? Has punctual and dependable attendance
? Has good decision making skills
? CPI trained (Required to have or willing to be trained)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
? Assist with the delivery of special services for students
? Assist classroom teacher with performing specific duties assigned or undertaking specialized
tasks to achieve and enhance instructional and behavioral objectives
? Work with individual students, small groups or large groups as assigned by the teacher
? Assist with behavior modifications as requested by the teacher
? Lift, move and operate equipment
? Assist students with personal care tasks, including but not limited to, bathroom, clothing,
hygiene, diapering, toileting, and wash-up routines
? Escort, monitor and maintain supervision of students as assigned within a variety of school
environments such as to and from events, classes, lunch, and other activities as needed
according to the IEP and approved policies and procedures students as assigned by teacher or administrator
? Assist students with mobility needs (ex., lifting and positioning, assisting in and out of
wheelchair, loading and unloading from transportation, navigating in and around the school and on field trips)
? Monitor students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment
? Report student concerns directly and expeditiously to the teacher and assist with student resolution as deem appropriate
? Assist with breakfast, lunch, snack, including clean-up if needed
? Maintain various confidential records and files
? Participate in trainings, meetings, and other professional development activities as directed by the school or department
? Perform additional duties as requested by the teacher or administrator Behavioral Support (1:1 and small group)
? Assist teacher with preparing the environment for activities; greet students upon arrival; assist students with belongings; supervise activities, escort students to transportation upon dismissal
? Provide direct behavior intervention support across settings as needed
? Reinforce learning in small groups; provide one-to-one individual assistance; supervise small groups; assist students with independent lessons and projects
? Constantly monitor the behavior of the students and employ strategies as necessary to mitigate behavioral issues; respond to inappropriate behavior as instructed by the teacher; supervise play time and situations where the classroom teacher is out of the room
? Collaborate with the teacher to incorporate information outlined in the IEP or provided by parents, doctors, therapists, counselors, etc. in order to understand the needs of and provide for appropriate services for students.
? Assist teacher in performing general housekeeping duties to ensure the learning environment is prepared daily (i.e., set up various equipment each morning; put equipment away at the end of the day, sanitize mats, toys, equipment with wipes; ensure student equipment is in proper working condition)
? Coordinate with teachers, specialists, administrators, other assistants and staff as directed by the teacher
? Engage in crisis intervention techniques as a last resort to maintain the safety and security of the student and others
? Collects and charts progress monitoring data for IEP goals (academic and behavioral), BIPs or contracts as assigned by the teacher
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
Work is considered medium physical work requiring the exertion of up to 40 pounds of force. Position entails significant walking, bending, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, some pushing and/or pulling, climbing and balancing, running short distances, and possible interventions in order to maintain a safe learning environment. Assignment may require the ability to physically move students or equipment, position students in specialized equipment and assist with toileting needs or bathroom supervision.
Work Environment:
Employees in this position are required to work in indoor and outdoor environments, and come into direct contact with staff, students and the public.
Experience:
? High School Diploma or GED required
? Experience working with exceptional children
? Training and/or experience in utilizing specialized instructional techniques such as behavior intervention strategies, picture exchange communication systems, and social stories preferred.
Disclaimer:
This is a list of general duties and responsibilities of this position. This is not an exhaustive list and should not be considered as an inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This list can be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval at any time.