Job Title:  Special Education Assistant

Job Summary:

The Special Education Assistant (SpEd) Assistant assists in providing targeted support services to students who receive Special Education services. Under the guidance of the Director of Student Services, the SpEd Assistant will support with and provide extended classroom support in the following areas: student transition support, implementing plans for instruction & behavior, support classroom/student observations, data collection/progress monitoring, and working 1:1 with students for short-term support.

What you will be doing

• Helping students with special needs during lessons, ensuring they stay engaged and understand the material
• Providing one-on-one assistance to students who require extra help, whether it's with assignments, behavior, or social skills.
• Supporting the student's specific educational goals as outlined in their IEPs.
• Managing or de-escalating challenging behaviors and promoting positive behavior in line with the students’ behavior intervention plans.
• Support with record keeping related to the development and implementation of student support plans

What you bring to the table

• Minimum:  Associates Degree in special education, child development, or a related field
• Previous experience working with children, particularly those with special needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with students, teachers, and parents.
• Patience, empathy, and the ability to handle challenging behaviors.
• Basic knowledge of special education laws and regulations, as well as individualized education plans (IEPs).
• Ability to work in classrooms with physically or emotionally challenging students
• Ability to work as part of a team

Employee Benefits & Perks:

• Medical, dental and vision benefits, which include mental health visits at the primary copay rate and a healthy pregnancy maternity program
• Up to 8 free counseling/therapy sessions annually through Employee Assistance Programs
• Flexible Savings Accounts for Health, Dependent Day Care & Commuter Reimbursements
• Retirement Plan Contribution
• Paid time off for sick days, personal days and holidays
• We believe in the importance of ongoing professional development and provide opportunities for our employees to attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions.
• Want to have some fun, too? Yes, please! Enjoy team building, appreciation days, supportive and collaborative environments and much more!
• Employee Referral Bonuses. As a Pan American Academy Employee, we'll ask that you always keep your eye out for great talent to join our family. Consider yourself an extension of the recruitment team, scouting for the best people to support our students and school!

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 10-months, exempt
• This position is for in-person work at our location
• 179 instructional days, 194 work days (new staff members work additional days for induction/orientation)
• In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable
• To be eligible to work for Pan American Academy Charter School, you must complete and submit background clearances and paperwork prior to your start date. We are able to accept clearances if they are less than one year old from the date a new employee presents them to Human Resources.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
• Please note: Both prior experience and educational degree must go through a verification process in order for final salary to be confirmed.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination: Pan American Academy Charter School is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, disability, history of disability or perceived disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at information@panamcs.org or call at 215-425-1212.