Position Title: Special Education Instructional Assistant K-5
Location: Great Hearts Harveston (11801 Bluebonnet Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70810)
Reports To: Headmaster
FLSA Status: Hourly
We are looking for life-long learners passionate about shaping students' hearts and minds. Join Great Hearts Academies, a growing network of 49 public, open-enrollment, tuition-free classical schools in Phoenix(AZ), Baton Rouge (LA), Dallas/Ft. Worth (TX), and SanAntonio (TX).
Great Hearts currently provides over 30,000 K-12 students with access to a high quality, classical liberal arts education. We believe the highest goal of education is to become good, intellectually and morally.
Distinctive benefits for Great Hearts faculty:
Exceptional Benefits (medical, dental, vision etc.) with minimal employee cost
Matching 401K program
Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, from great books seminars with academy colleagues, to leadership and special education coursework/pathways, to reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities
Special Education Instructional Assistant at Great Hearts:
The Instructional Assistant is a non-certified assistant to the Special Education Program at the academy for both general education and special education resource classrooms. The assistant will work to support students in all settings on campus under the direction of and in collaboration with the certified Special Education teachers and General Education teachers. Additional duties may be included, depending on the experience and expertise of the candidate and the specific academy needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Academic Support
- Supports students in small groups or 1:1
- Assist students with assignments, homework, projects
- Understanding how to adapt materials and provide modifications to help students learn the material
- Help students understand the classroom rules and reinforce the classroom rules
Behavior Support
- Monitor student behavior to ensure safety and appropriate interactions.
- Implement behavior management strategies
- Assist students with developing social skills, appropriate interactions, and positive behaviors
- Assist with de-escalating student behaviors and ask for support for General Education Teacher and Special Education Team Members as needed
- Reinforces SDI concepts that have already been in effect
Additional Support
- Help students with transitions and activities.
- Support students with personal hygiene needs such as toileting, feeding, and dressing
- Support students with mobility and adaptive equipment
- Provides general clerical support for the ESS Team
- Additional Duties
- Attend meetings and training sessions
- Help maintain a clean and organized work area
- Provide a supportive and positive learning environment
Required/Preferred Education: High school degree or higher Ideally, candidates will hold an associate's degree or higher,
Required/Preferred Experience: Has experience in special education.
Required/Preferred Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, and an interest in reading great books. Educational Aide certification I, II, or III preferred.
Physical Functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
US work authorization is required, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- High school diploma or higher
- Associate degree or higher
- Experience in special education
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Educational Aide Certification I, II, or III
- U.S. work authorization
- Successful criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance
- Ability to perform standing, sitting, bending, squatting, reaching, and repetitive movements
- Ability to move or position equipment weighing approximately 15 pounds
What We Do
Great Hearts Academies is a nonprofit network of tuition-free public charter schools and private Christian schools offering classical liberal arts education across Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas with online offerings. Its mission is to cultivate students’ minds and hearts through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, preparing them for higher education, professional careers, human flourishing, and academic excellence while fostering rigorous study and moral formation.
