Student Support Associate (behavior Focus)

Student Support Associate (Behavior Focus)

To assist classroom teacher in helping students to increase their academic and social skills as well as prepare them for inclusive activities into general education classrooms. Assist in maintaining a safe and orderly environment. Assist in problem-reducing behavior in/on school facilities to reduce disruptions and off-task behavior within the classroom. Under the guidance of the teacher, assist in facilitating all goals and objectives contained in students IEP including, but not limited to:

• Functional academic programming developed by the classroom teacher.
• Helping students when needed through small group instruction, one-on-one tutoring, and assignment completion.

To meet the developmental needs of school-age children by implementing activities which encourage independence and responsibility. To provide exemplary performance in all aspects of child care duties and to ensure that all work performed is completed to standard. To demonstrate a positive attitude, loyalty, cooperation, teamwork, attendance, and safety.

Duties may vary by season, grade-level, and activity usage; however, significant performance responsibilities are listed below. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned which fulfill the needs of students.

Programs and/or students have been assigned an educational assistant because of one or more conditions which diminish capacities; examples include: blind, hard of hearing, cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, limited (fine) motor skills, reduced mental abilities, confined to wheelchair, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, etc. It is crucial that the student be provided with every opportunity to perform at the most independent level possible in a manner appropriate to their Individual Education Program (IEP).

Because the student cannot meet all of their own needs without assistance, the educational assistant must be able to perform a variety of tasks to assist the student. The following may or may not apply to your student but are typical of the types of duties a person holding this job title will be expected to perform:

• Under the guidance of a principal, teacher, or nurse, supervise and assist the students with:
• Personal hygiene programming
• Protect the student's health and safety through the administration of CPR, first aid, changing trach, catheters, use of medications, knowledge of the student's reaction to medication; both over/under correct levels.
• Supervise and assist the students with:
• Environmental mobility programming that is conducted within the community setting. The adaptive physical education program special events, field trips, assemblies, tours, and concerts.
• Assist with all student needs during the day including but not limited to: movement in and between classes, Art, Music, Physical Education, Physical Therapy, recess, restrooms, personal hygiene, and occupational therapy.
• Carries out teacher directed activities to reach the student's established goals on an individual basis or within a group.
• Assist with the preparation of specialized teaching aids and materials as planned by the teacher.
• Carries out the recommendations provided by consultants (e.g., occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech/language pathologist, etc.).
• Enforce rules and procedures for appropriate classroom behavior, to maintain and promote a fair, supportive, inclusive, and positive learning environment.
• Use appropriate reinforcement strategies such as prompting, modeling, and shaping.
• Provides modeling and guidance when implementing activities that integrate children with special needs.
• Assist in maintaining a fair, supportive, and inclusive learning and working environment for all students and employees regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or genetic information.
• Provide student with feedback and reinforcement on the student's performance consistent with the teacher's behavior management plan.
• Read and comprehend at the student's grade level or above.
• Develop working rapport with the student(s).
• Assist the teacher in facilitating all goals and objectives contained in the students IEP.
• Relate to and interact with student using positive reinforcement and effective communication.
• Greet student(s) and parents as they arrive.
• Help integrate the student(s) to become one of the class.
• Confidentiality of all information and student records is mandatory.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, orderly, and safe environment.
• Ensure the health and safety of the student at the center, on the outdoor play areas, and on field trips.
• Record behavioral data, accident reports, etc.
• Exhibit an understanding of the District / School programs that exist in the assigned learning environment.
• Works collaboratively with and plans, reviews, and reports student needs, concerns, and performance with assigned teacher / team.
• Assists student in completing classroom assignments and tasks reinforcing concepts presented by the teacher.
• Recognizes and facilitates appropriate environments for individual students and classmates in their work and behaviors.
• Implements effective behavior control strategies as directed by the teacher.
• Uses established communication systems with teachers through documentation and regular meetings for collaborative monitoring and discussion.
• Helps build student self-esteem and encourages caring and helping behaviors among students (PBIS rules / Olweus).
• Performs teacher directed clerical duties and assists with school supervision duties.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and abides by District and school policies and procedures.
• Participates in ongoing professional development specific to student and classroom needs.
• Recognizes appropriate and inappropriate behaviors ensuring that students know expectations, policies, and consequences and are responsible for his/her own behaviors.
• Effectively identifies and responds to problems as they arise.
• Attends and shares relevant information for IEP and team meetings and conferences as well as with other relevant support personnel and administration.
• Demonstrates regular and reliable attendance, promptness, and dependability.
• Demonstrates self as an appropriate role model for students in the areas of dress, language, and behavior.
• Plans and organizes work to efficiently meet schedules and deadlines.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills with the school community including students, colleagues, families, and administration.
• Promotes an atmosphere of respect for students and adults.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior.
• Positively contributes to school and district functions and activities.
• Uses universal health care precautions.
• Sustains a clean, healthy, and safe learning environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Willingly accepts, understands, and follows directions and instructions.
• Ability to learn, understand, and implement appropriate student behavior techniques and address inappropriate student behavior in a proactive way.
• Ability to respond to crisis intervention.
• Ability to exhibit an understanding of District / School programs that exist in the assigned learning environment.
• Knowledge of Crisis Prevention Intervention techniques, or willingness to receive CPI training at first available offering.
• Demonstrate a cooperative and collaborative approach.
• Ability to make positive contributions to the instructional team.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work within and promote a fair, supportive, and inclusive work and learning environment.
• Assist in the preparation, serving, and clean up of breakfast, lunch, and snacks as needed.
• Demonstrate productive, appropriate, and independent use of time.
• Communicate (verbal/written) effectively and professionally with the school community including students, colleagues, families, and administration.
• Possess a genuine interest in helping students.
• Possess patience as to not get easily discouraged.
• Ability to help students become more self-sufficient and/or successful in classes.
• Ability to accept and complete assigned responsibilities in a timely and effective manner.
• Knowledge of and interest in a variety of educational areas such as music, arts, sports, and games.
• Leadership skills in directing student activities.
• Maintain professional growth, current Mandatory Reporting Training, First Aid, CPR certification as required by state and federal regulations.
• Assume duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by administration and/or teachers.

Professional Standards:

1. Quality of Work (Supports a learning environment by participating in instructional opportunities; encourages appropriate standards of behavior, positive interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.)
2. Quantity of work (The amount of work performed is evidence of high productivity; industrious; carries fair share of work load; seeks additional tasks.)</li