S23061 Educational Assistant
Lethbridge School Division, Canada
Job Description
Educational Assistant
Are you passionate about supporting children's education and development? Lethbridge School Division has exciting opportunities for Educational Assistants . We are looking for an individual to join the Division and make a positive impact on our students' lives.
Lethbridge School Division embraces diversity and functions in a dynamic, innovative, and fast paced environment. To help support student success, we are looking for flexible, empathetic, optimistic, and patient individuals to work as part of a dynamic team. The Educational Assistant works with students requiring targeted and specialized supports and services in order to effectively participate in their learning community. Tasks performed are varied and dependent on student needs. Responsibilities include assisting with and adapting academic tasks, implementation of strategies intended to support socially appropriate behaviours, attending to physical needs as well as medical needs specific to individual students, and monitoring progress.
Educational Assistants work under the direction of teachers, primarily with identified students. Successful applicants will be adept at quickly developing trust and rapport with students and staff. Educational Assistants work collaboratively within the school community to share information, reflect on effectiveness of strategies, suggest modifications to existing or novel strategies in order to maximize student success.
Educational Assistants are an integral part of a dynamic and collaborative team who work with students with behavioural issues and/or complex physical disabilities/developmental delays and will be expected to assume other duties, as required.
What will you work?
17.50 hours/week Monday - Friday
Educational Assistant staff have a working calendar that provides time off during some non-instructional days.
What will you do?
Applicants will work as a team to support a variety of students with a variety of needs, including behavioural challenges and/or complex physical disabilities, developmental delays and/or severe medical needs. Duties will include ensuring all students’ safety at all times, implementing individualized programs and carrying out Positive Behaviour Support Plans as developed by the student’s Learning Team. Lethbridge School Division makes every effort to ensure staff and student safety; however, not every unsafe behaviour on the part of students can be anticipated. Behaviours that the plans target may include, but are not limited to, severe opposition, hitting, kicking, spitting, biting, scratching, and throwing of objects and the use of inappropriate and/or threatening language. Supporting Individuals with Valued Attachments (SIVA) training is an asset.
Applicants will possess, or develop, a true working knowledge within early literacy and the speech and language acquisition process and have experience in supporting programs for children/students in their early years of development. Training and/or experience in sign language, Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and/or Hanen (Learning Language and Loving It/ABC amp; Beyond) are assets.
For the full Educational Assistant job description, please click HERE.
What do you need to succeed?
Training and/or experience working with students with severe behaviour difficulties is necessary as well as an understanding of ASD, ODD, FASD, ADHD and/or other behavioural disabilities. Preference will be given to candidates with proven experience executing Positive Behavior Support Plans. Training and/or experience with OT/PT would be an asset. The successful candidate must be willing to provide personal care, lifting and toileting support for students and participating in community activities (such as swimming and skating). Educational Assistants may also be working with students who have recently migrated from other countries and these students may have significant achievement gaps, language barriers and/or social-emotional concerns. A strong understanding of Trauma Informed practice, resiliency, building connections, self-regulation supports and strategies, and conflict resolution skills is an asset. In addition, willingness to participate in ongoing professional learning is expected.
The successful candidate will be able to create rapport with all students and staff and adapt to dynamic learning environments. Being self-directed, flexible and finding creative ways to connect with and regulate children are considered to be an important skills of successful candidates. Additionally, the successful candidate must have exceptional communication skills and show initiative in solving problems and creating opportunities for student success.
Location(s) Available:
Dr. Robert Plaxton Elementary School
- 1 Position 17.50 ho