Position Purpose & Overview

The Learning Support Assistant will be responsible for effective planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities, learning engagements and modified instruction that is provided to primary student(s). This position will be working with primary-aged students.

Key Interactions

●      Department: Junior School

●      Reports to Junior School Learning Support Teacher

●      Key contacts: Students, teachers, principals, parents/guardians, other significant adults to students

Key Responsibilities

●      Assess student’s abilities and craft individualized teaching plans and modified instruction

●      Work collaboratively with primary teachers to communicate assessment and evaluation strategies

●      Assists teachers in the planning and implementation of individualized and/or group behaviour programs in specialized or integrated settings, such as regular or resource classrooms

●      Adapt learning materials to students’ needs

●      Keep track of and reflect on students’ progress

●      Find developmentally appropriate and engaging activities to teach skills

●      Prepare students for transition to the next grade

●      Take lesson and classroom direction from the homeroom teacher

●      Collaborate with the learning support team (e.g. school counselors and speech therapists) to create holistic intervention plans collaborating with parents and school staff to track students’ progresses

●      Planning, organizing and implementing a range of learning engagements and experiences

●      Create and maintain a healthy and safe environment

●      Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team

●      Create a summary report of student progress once per term

●      Maintains regular communications with the supervising teacher and other team members including, parents and other relevant professionals;

●      Observes and records student progress, maintains detailed written records as required;

●      Supervises student(s) both on and off the school campus as required;

●      May work with students with cognitive and/or physical challenges, including students with diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder;

●      Report to Primary Learning Support/principal on a weekly basis

 

Professional Development and other Co-Curricular Duties

●      The  Learning Support Assistant will seek out and participate in professional development opportunities to learn more about learning support, with specific focus on autism.

●      Learning Support Assistant will be lead teacher in facilitating a co-curricular club for at least 2 terms.

Qualifications

●      Successful completion of a secondary school graduation program or equivalent

●      Two or more years of assistant teacher experience at the primary level working with children on the autism spectrum

●      Professionalism and patience

●      Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

●      Willingness to partner and collaborate with teachers to support the needs of the individual child

●      Dynamic, engaging educator

• Ability to implement behaviour management techniques as well as flexibility in response to student behaviours (e.g. adjusting and adapting strategies)
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively while following the direction and guidance of classroom/resource teacher(s)

Preferred Qualifications

●      Completion of a recognized post-secondary Educational Assistant program, including or supplemented by training in conflict resolution, and non-violent crisis intervention or equivalent combination of training and experience;

●      Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training;

• 1 year of recent experience specific to the needs of the student(s) with behaviour needs, autism, pervasive developmental disorders, etc., is an asset;

●      Knowledge and understanding of the appropriate grade level curriculum.

Qualities

●      Experience with children with learning exceptionalities and specifically children with autism

●      Experience with children with sensory processing issues

●      Experience helping children navigate through social emotional development

●      Experience with a 1:1 model of individualizing and guiding children through self-paced learning

●      A sound knowledge of early childhood development and pedagogy

●      Collaborative team player able to take direction well and work independently

●      Sense of humour and love of this age group

●      Supportive, nurturing personality
Details of Employment

●      Employment type: Contract Full-time

●      Contract term is from August 28, 2023 – June 30, 2024

 

Applications

 All interested candidates should include the following items in their applications

●      Resume & Cover Letter

●      Names, email addresses and phone numbers of three professional references

●      Copies of any relevant certificates and diplomas

●      Send to Ms. Valerie Little, Junior School Principal  [email protected]

 

 

Conditions of Employment

●      The successful candidate will be required to complete child abuse prevention training provided by St. John’s School and provide consent for a criminal reference check for vulnerable sector

●      Clearance on criminal record check for a vulnerable sector is a condition of employment.

 

 

 

This job profile outlines the key responsibilities for the roles and is not meant to be exhaustive. This will include performing the administrative and related tasks or any other responsibilities required to reasonably meet the needs of SJS, including, but not limited to the general duties outlined in the position profile.

 

It should be understood that the activities, responsibilities and obligations of this position may be modified from time to time, through discussion between the direct supervisor and the employee, in order to effectively meet the requirements of the school.  On rare occasions where there are urgent needs at the school, an employee may be assigned to temporarily backfill role(s) critical to the school’s operations and business continuity.

 

 

Job posting will remain open until filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in St. John’s School.