AI Summary

Specialized Assistants support teachers and students, focusing on safety and engagement for students, often with disabilities, through one-on-one or small-group interactions and collaboration with families.

About this role

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

In pursuit of this mission, we are hiring a Specialized Assistant. This individual will help ensure the safety and success of students in the building that they are assigned to, which are often students with disabilities. Specialized Assistants build relationships with students they work with, support teachers in ensuring that students are engaged and supported during lessons, and interact with parents and families. They are a crucial component of a student's support structure at school. Often, Specialized Assistants support students with special education needs and disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications - Must have one of the following:

Associate's Degree

60 completed college credits

Proof of passing the ETS Paraprofessional Exam

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience working with students in small group and RTI settings

Understanding of how to read and understand a student's IEP

Desire to become a certified teacher long term

Job Responsibilities

Demonstrate passion for working with students, especially in one on one and small group situations, and especially students with special education needs

Effectively prioritize tasks as assigned by teachers and school leaders

Ensure safety of students on caseload

Learn and grow by incorporating feedback from school leaders, colleagues, students, and professional development sessions

Build relationships with students and parents to ensure a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment

Other duties as assigned to best support the Lansing School District mission

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Must be able to stand, walk, and move quickly between indoor and outdoor settings for extended periods.

Regularly required to bend, kneel, crouch, and assist with physical transfers or interventions involving students.

Must be able to lift, push, or carry up to 50 pounds as needed.

Frequent verbal communication is required to support students, coordinate with staff, and manage emergent situations.

Occasional use of computers, radios, and other communication or documentation tools.

May be exposed to noise, weather conditions, and other elements associated with a school environment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills

Assistive Technology FamiliarityBehavior ManagementClassroom Assistive InterventionsCollaboration With Teachers And ParentsData Collection And ReportingDocumentation And Communication ToolsEducation Paraprofessional DutiesEmergency ResponseIEP UnderstandingLearning Environment SetupOne-on-one SupportRecord KeepingRTI SupportSafety ProceduresSchool District ProceduresSmall-group InstructionStudent Assessment AssistanceStudent SafetyTime ManagementTransit And Mobility Support

Specialized Assistant: ASD