Education Assistant

Are you interested in working with our dynamic and progressive school division to pursue excellence in education for students, professional learning opportunities, a flexible health benefits package, and a workplace that embraces diversity? Then we are the place for you!

Parkland School Division (PSD) is a large progressive school jurisdiction serving Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Fort Chipewyan and Parkland County. PSD meets the diverse educational needs of over 12,000 rural and urban students among 23 sites, including outreach schools and alternative education programs.

Our values are what guide us. We strive for learning opportunities that are purposeful, essential, relevant, authentic and responsive while aiming for excellence in achievement. PSD also values trustworthy, respectful relationships that promote resilience as students and staff work towards our Ultimate Goal: Student Success & Well-being.

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate professional to provide comprehensive support for an Early Years student with vision loss, while also assisting with medical needs within the classroom. Responsibilities include facilitating classroom accessibility through Braille and assistive technology, guiding safe physical mobility, and managing personal care routines. Additionally, you will support student health needs by assisting with tube feeding as required. This is a highly impactful opportunity to foster safety, independence, and a love for learning.

• Proven experience working with early childhood or primary-aged students, specifically supporting children with vision loss.

• Practical knowledge of Braille, including the use of a brailler, creating tactile graphics, and modifying learning materials into adapted formats.

• Familiarity with specialized hardware and software for learners with vision loss (e.g., screen readers, BrailleNote, refreshable Braille displays, audio description software, and tactile printers).

• Ability to implement basic orientation and mobility (O&M) strategies, utilize safe sighted-guide techniques, and provide active, hands-on supervision on playground equipment.

• Experience with, or willingness to be trained in, providing vital daily care routines, specifically tube feeding (G-tube management) and toileting assistance.

Instructional Support

• Apply foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit for the benefit of all students.

• Providing assistance to communicate with peers and adults in the school (e.g. American Sign Language, assistive tech. devices).

• Provide support to students utilizing various educational software packages.

• Assist students with computer access.

• Assist in the implementation of Individual Program Plan (IPP) goals and adaptive devices.

• Modify and adapt the program for individual students as directed by the classroom teacher.

• Scribe notes from board, scribe and read exams for students as required.

• Help with organizing notebooks, timetables, agendas, and lockers.

• Provide assistance in all curriculum areas/one on one or in small groups as directed by teacher.

Behaviour

• Under the direction of the teacher, observe, chart and monitor individual student progress and behaviour.

• Assist the teacher in maintaining a safe and secure environment for both students and staff through the application of de-escalation strategies and non- violent physical intervention techniques.

• Provide behavioural management assistance for students with behavioural disorders (implementing predetermined non-aversive disciplinary methods and nonviolent crisis intervention techniques to diffuse escalating negative behaviour patterns).

• Deal with student behaviour and assist with classroom discipline.

Student Assistance and Personal Care

• Assist student with walking (e.g. holding their hand, stabilizing them, guiding on stairs).

• Assist student with personal care and hygiene, which may include food preparation, dressing, grooming, and toileting.

• Feeding assistance (can include spoon or tube feeding), lifting and handling of medically fragile students.

• Ability to manipulate assistive devices (e.g. insulin pumps, braces, dressing fasteners, fasten seat belts, etc.).

• Catheterisation.

• Respiratory therapy interventions, physiotherapy interventions and other medically related tasks.

• Administer medication as required.

• Toileting and diapering for students who are physically dependent.

• Assist and/or participate in exercising, implementing adaptive physical education, range of motion programs, fine and gross motor skills development, individualised or group communication techniques and life skills management.

• Monitor feeding, tube feeding and breathing apparatuses, seizure management (e.g. monitor and assess severity of seizure through the use of medical equipment and administer oxygen if required), and catheterisation.

• Operate specialised equipment to support instruction for students with physical care needs (e.g. wheelchairs, mechanical lifts, walkers, transfer belt, FM and/or communications systems and hearing aid equipment).

• Lifting and carrying students into and out of specialized equipment (i.e., gym equipment, sensory equipment, walkers, wheelchairs, toilets, commodes) to carry out program requirements as well as personal hygiene care.

Speech Therapy/Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy

• Help student with speech language difficulties, as instructed by Speech Pathologist.

• Update progress on a daily basis for Individual Program Plan purposes.

• Provide physiotherapy program as directed.

• Model and practice speech program.

• Liaise with members of Therapy Team to monitor student progress and use of Assistive Technology / Devices.

Communication and Reporting

• As requested by the teacher, communicate observations regarding health and behaviours to the teacher (as gathered in logs, charts, and data sheets).

• Maintain accurate medication data sheets, record medical situations.

• Participate in student team conferences when requested by the teacher.

• Under the direction of the classroom teacher, maintain a home-school communication book (teacher to initial before book sent home).

Assist Teacher/Classroom Preparation

• Organize bulletin board display, photocopy material, laminate articles and prepare snacks.

• Modify and prepare materials for special needs student.

• Ensure equipment and facilities are kept in a clean, safe, orderly manner.

• Assist in marking, testing, and filing of student work.

• Prepare, set up, and dismantle displays, information areas and work areas.

Supervise Students

• Supervise and assist students in preparing for special activities (preparation for swimming lessons, skating, etc.).

• Ability to work in a variety of environments and conditions (e.g. swimming, playground equipment, community facilities).

• Ability to provide active supervision and support with students in typical school related physical activities for full work hours (including gym, playground equipment, track and field, classroom and hallways.

• Supervise small groups on field trips.

• Assist students boarding and disembarking from buses.

Community Living and Vocational Skills

• Travel with student to job placement, provide job training.

• Assist students to be integrated into the regular classroom.

• Facilitate the development of social skills.

• Assist students in recreation activities (crafts, preparing meals).

• Travel with individuals or small groups to community outings such as banking, and/or shopping.

• Journal and assist in choosing books.

Student Personal Development

• Assist in building the self-esteem and self-confidence of students.

• Encourage students to participate in classroom activities to build social skills.

• Provide and encourage routine and repetitive personal care to students.

• Administer first aid as required.

Other Duties

• May provide Braille to students starting to learn Braille (specification).

• May provide signing to students (American Sign Language or Signed Exact English) (specification).

• Other duties as assigned (specification).

Education and Experience

a) Education:

i) High School Diploma

ii) Teacher Assistant Certificate/Educational Assistant Certificate

iii) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and First Aid Certificate would be an asset

iv) Courses related to working with students with special needs OR that are specifically related to the above-mentioned duties.

b) Experience:

i) Training and experience in working with children with challenging behaviors, strong technology skills, ability to build strong relationships and a team player

Equivalencies will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes

• Good oral and written communication skills

• Good interpersonal skills

• The ability to take direction and work independently

• Flexibility, patience, sensitivity, tolerance, enthusiasm, creativity and imagination

• The ability to deal with the emotional and mental stress of working with children/group of children/school setting.

• First Aid Certificate

• Courses or training in Attention Deficit Disorder, Special Needs Disorders, English as a Second Language, Behaviour Management, Crisis Prevention, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, and Food Handling and Preparation, would be an asset

• Lifts and transfers

• G-tube feeding, catheterization

• Knowledge of office equipment

• Knowledge of computers

• Some assignments may require use of own vehicle

This work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with people, having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and finding innovative ways to handle situations.

Decision Making

Education Assistants make decisions in order to assist the implementation of instructional plans as directed by the teacher. Examples: 1.) Once tasks are assigned, the EA may decide on the sequence of events, such as how to format and prepare classroom resources and educational materials to suit the needs of the student(s) (e.g. photocopying and some word processing). 2.) A decision related to supervision of students’ various activities and events under the direction of the teacher (e.g., group children for field trips in manageable groups). 3) How to design and set up bulletin board displays and/or information areas to support instructional objectives of the teacher.

Working with Others

1. Employees in the same school as there will be an exchange of everyday information and may require explanation and interpretation of that information.

2. Employees in other schools will exchange factual or everyday information.

3. Daily communication with students will require explanation and interpretation of everyday information.

4. As directed by the teacher, communicate observations regarding health and behaviours to the teacher (as gathered in logs, charts, and data sheets).

Work is performed under frequent or close supervision. Specific directions and instructions are provided during the work process.

Physical Demands

Education Assistants may be required to routinely lift items that comply with the guidelines for safe lifts and transfers. Ability to complete one-person lifts for students up to 35 lbs or participate as part of a two-person lift for students up to 50 lbs and assist with the use of mechanical lifts for students greater than 50 lbs. Sometimes, heavier lifting may be required to help children move into and out of wheelchairs. EAs may also use mechanical lifts for students.

• Ability to work with students in a variety of positions (i.e. sit on Chair or floor, kneel, stand, bend or reach to assist.

• Ability to walk easily, manoeuvre stairs and move from one position or place to another with sufficient ease to respond to student need in a timely manner.

• Ability to assist with student transfer (i.e. floor-chair, standing, sit, standing transfers as needed per weight of student.

Working Conditions

Education Assistants will work indoors except when supervising children outdoors during recess, physical education, or going on field trips.

Education Assistants may have the same holiday schedule as teachers, including a long summer break as well as winter and spring breaks. However, they work on a ten-month contract basis and therefore are not paid during the summer months.

The scheduled hours to be worked will be determined by each specific position.

This position may require the use of a personal vehicle as per job posting.

Additional Information

Education Assistants must agree to respect the confidentiality and personal integrity of students, parents, teachers and other staff.

This position requires an original copy of a current clean criminal record check with vulnerable sector and an original copy of a child intervention record check.

This position is covered by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5543

Hours of Work: 32.5 hours/week (Between the hours of 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday to Friday - hours to be determined by the Principal)

Pay Rate: $25.35-28.39/hr (Pay Group 3) for EA Certified Employees and $24.17/hr-$26.98/hr for EA Non-Certified Employees (Category 2)

ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH APPLY TO EDUCATION WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Applying is a two-step process. First, you must register and create a portfolio; then you must apply to the job posting by following the steps below:

• Click the position title of the job that you wish to apply to and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click 'APPLY'.
• Jobs that you have applied to will appear under the ‘Jobs Applied To’ tab in the Job Postings section. You will also receive a confirmation email.

For technical support while applying to a position online, please contact our service provider for assistance:

Apply to Education

Phone: 1-877-900-5627

Email: ***email_hidden***

Hours: 5:30am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.