Education Program Assistant

Position Summary:

This position reports directly to School Principal but be under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher and the special education resource teacher. The Education Program Assistant offers additional staff support in classes where students with needs are present. These needs are in addition to or beyond academic needs and are demonstrated frequently and consistently.  A priority is to support these students to develop self-advocacy and/or behavior management skills to complete successfully their own personal learning tasks and to foster independence. Under the supervision of the Classroom Teacher, the Education Program Assistant – Alternative/Home Instruction will be responsible for the direct supervision of and providing support for individual students.  The Education Program Assistant – Alternative/Home Instruction also assists the Classroom and/or Special Education Teacher by providing general classroom support for all students.  his facilitates the integration of students with special needs in the regular classroom, allows for informal support of other students’ learning needs and enables the classroom and/or special education teacher to work more closely with individual special education students to address educational needs.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Personal Care/Behaviour Management Support/Support for Instructional Program
• Assist students to move about during the day as outlined in the Individualized Education Plan including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.;
• Supervise the students to ensure a safe environment;
• Assist students in the operation of support equipment, as required;
• Assist in promoting students’ emotional growth, well-being, self-control and independence;
• Encourage the development of student dignity and self-esteem;
• Facilitate positive interactions among all students;
• Help motivate students and encourage student participation;
• Assist in the implementation of the behaviour management plan and/or safety plan as developed by the planning team;
• Identify/create a welcoming/safe space for students who may require an alternative location for instruction, and/or emotional self-regulation, in order to foster an individual student’s mental/physical/emotional wellbeing;
• Modify the physical learning environment to minimize distractions, safety hazards, etc. based on individual student needs;
• Engage in ongoing analysis that may contribute to student behaviours, challenges; and anticipate/circumvent potential issues, and encourage to cope more effectively with them;
• Assist students in following the programs, strategies, exercises and materials/identified and developed by the Classroom and or Special Education Resource Teacher;
• Assist the classroom teacher in preparation of material;
• Provide feedback on his/her observations of students to the classroom teacher, and as designated by the classroom teacher, to the parent/guardian and/or agencies, paraprofessionals, etc;
• Modify students’ programs, as necessary, in conjunction with the classroom and/or special education resource teacher;
• Accompany students to and from community based programs and provide support within this program, as necessary;
• Contribute to planning team meetings and other meetings as required.

Education & Experience

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) or acceptable equivalent in education and experience;
• Ability to speak Ojibway is considered an asset
• Must have a High school Diploma or its equivalent;
• have a CPR/First Aid Certificate;
• Must have experience working with children and youth;
• Ability to speak Anishinaabemowin would be an asset;
• Must have physical abilities consistent with requirements of the job which may include personal and physical care;
• Successful candidate must provide a clean CPIC/vulnerable sectors check before being offered the position;
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training would be an asset;
• Additional courses and/or workshops in child/adolescent studies, special education and personal care would be an asset.

Other Requirements: 

• Valid Ontario Drivers Class G Licence;
• Must have reliable transportation with insurance coverage
• Ability to provide a clear vulnerable sector check

This position will remain OPEN UNTIL FILLED.