Special Education Instructional Assistant – Special Needs Support

Job Description

Special Education Instructional Assistant | Frederick County Public Schools

The Tone:
This is a 10-month support position at Frederick County Public Schools, an organization dedicated to providing quality education to students across Frederick County, MD. This role is crucial for ensuring students with special needs receive the individualized support required to thrive academically and personally. The Special Education Instructional Assistant directly impacts student success and fosters independence within the school environment.

The TL;DR
• Role: Special Education Instructional Assistant
• Type: 10-month position (190 days / year), 7 hours per day
• Location: In-person, Frederick, MD
• Pay: $21.23 hourly
• Team: Reports to a Classroom Teacher/Administrator
• Mission: This role is responsible for monitoring, assisting, and providing comprehensive support to students with special needs, facilitating the implementation of their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

What You’ll Actually Do
• Support: Supports student learning and development under the direction of certificated FCPS staff.
• Monitor: Monitors student progress and assists them in meeting their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives.
• Care: Provides essential physical and/or personal care support to students as needed, excluding duties requiring a nurse.
• Prepare: Sets up, adapts, and assists students with materials, equipment, and assistive devices for educational use.
• Administer: Provides general clerical support for the special education program, including typing, filing, and classroom preparation.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Minimum qualification of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED), with options to meet requirements through 48 college credits, an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, or by passing the ParaPathways, Pearson NES: Foundations of Classroom Support, or Pearson NES: Foundations of Classroom Support & Instruction exams. Career level: Entry-Level in an educational support domain.
• Experience: No specific years required for the base qualification; prior experience working with children, especially those with disabilities in an educational setting, is highly preferred.
• Skills: Demonstrated clear, concise communication in both oral and written form, working knowledge of English, spelling, vocabulary, and mathematics, ability to work effectively in a team environment, and maintain student confidentiality.
• Bonus: Associate of Arts Degree, college-level coursework related to child development, experience working with children or students with disabilities, bilingual proficiency in Spanish, knowledge of American Sign Language, knowledge of child development and instructional strategies, or familiarity with FCPS policies, goals, and programs.