Special Need Educational Assistant jobs

About the Role:

This role is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing personalized support to help a bright and capable child thrive in their school environment. We are looking for someone who can foster confidence, independence, and a love for learning in a warm and nurturing way.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced candidate to support our child in developing their full social and life skills and achieving academic potential at school. The role involves providing one-on-one assistance, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, and implementing strategies to help with learning, organization, and social skills. The ideal candidate will be patient, proactive, and skilled at working with children who benefit from individualized support in a school setting.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Support

• Implement strategies and recommendations designed specifically for the student.
• Develop, maintain and improve the Individual Education Plan for the student.
• Provide one-on-one assistance during classroom activities, ensuring a supportive and encouraging environment.
• Assist with academic tasks, including reading, writing, math, and other subjects, as guided by the classroom teacher.
• Support the development of critical executive functioning skills, including organization, time management, and task prioritization.
• Break down complex concepts into manageable steps to promote understanding and confidence.
• Support social and emotional learning by fostering positive interactions with peers and encouraging confidence in group settings.
• Provide gentle guidance to help manage transitions, changes in routine, and other potential challenges.

Social and Emotional Development

• Encourage positive peer interactions and assist in building social skills through guided practice and modelling.
• Foster self-confidence and independence by offering consistent encouragement and reinforcement.
• Support the child in navigating transitions, changes in routine, or potentially challenging situations in a calm and reassuring manner.

Collaboration

• Take guidance from developmental experts (SLP, PT, OT, and BCBA), modify and implement strategies and recommendations.
• Work closely with the classroom teachers to implement strategies and techniques that align with the child’s learning goals.
• Adapt classroom materials and activities to suit the child's unique learning style and needs.
• Assist with maintaining a structured and focused learning environment.

Communication and Reporting

• Maintain open and respectful communication with parents, teachers, other team members and external expertise to ensure a consistent approach.
• Track and document the child’s progress, identifying areas of growth and opportunities for additional support.
• Provide regular updates on the child's progress and highlight any areas of concern or success.
• Participate in meetings or discussions about strategies to support the child’s learning and development.
• Provide regular updates to parents and collaborate on adjusting strategies as needed.

Liaison and Support Team Lead

• Identify short term goals for the child to develop life, social and academic skills
• Document daily summaries to capture key elements and insights, sharing them with the team for continuous improvement.
• Provide recommendations for follow-up items related to home sessions.

Developing Educational Materials

• Research, purchase, and design educational materials using various resources, such as Teachers Pay Teachers, Pinterest and Twinkl
• Utilize appropriate tools, such as Canva and methodologies to create engaging and effective learning content.

Additional Responsibilities

• Encourage the child’s independence while offering appropriate support as needed.
• Use positive reinforcement and proactive strategies to support self-regulation and engagement in learning.
• Assist during non-academic times, such as recess, lunch, and other transitions, to ensure the child feels included and supported.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in education, child development, psychology, or a related field.
• Advanced training or certification in individualized education or learning support.
• Experience working one-on-one with children in educational or developmental settings.

Skills and Competencies

• Patience, empathy, and the ability to connect with children in a positive and encouraging way.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with school staff and parents.
• Ability to implement strategies that promote organization, focus, and positive behaviour.
• Flexibility and adaptability to respond to varying needs throughout the school day.
• Organizational skills to manage schedules, materials, and progress tracking.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and adaptability to meet evolving needs.
• Organizational and time-management skills to track progress and manage daily responsibilities.

Additional Requirements

• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Criminal record check, including vulnerable sector screening.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily based in the classroom and school environment, with occasional outdoor supervision during recess or extracurricular activities.
• Attending SLP, OT, PT, and other sessions off school site or virtually.
• May involve periods of standing, walking, and light lifting as needed to support the child.
• Opportunities to participate in ongoing training and collaboration with school staff and leading experts

Working hours:

• School days 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: Cornerstone Montessori Prep School, 177 Beverley St, Toronto, ON M5T 1Y7

Compensation: 45 - 65k per annum

Contact info: Sherry@McLeangroups.org

Pay: $22.25-$30.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person