Elementary School Life Centered Education (LCE) Teaching Assistant at The International School of Kenya

Reports To:

• Elementary Life Centered Education Teacher

Scope of Responsibilities:

• The LCE Teaching Assistant is supervised by the LCE teacher and works to support LCE students throughout the school, by providing assistance to individual or small groups of developmentally disabled students. He or she also provides clerical and other classroom support services to the LCE teacher.

Overall Responsibilities:

•  Collaborate with colleagues
•  Communicate regularly with the Life Centered Education Teacher, SSS Coordinator and classroom teachers
•  Provide instructional assistance to LCE students
•  Provide support for the inclusion in class activities for LCE students
•  Attend relevant departmental, divisional and K-12 professional meetings as necessary.
•  Promote a positive learning environment
•  Assume responsibility for meaningful professional growth
•  Perform other duties as needed or assigned by the Life Centered Education Teacher or SSS
• Coordinator or Principal

Abilities:

• The LCE Teaching Assistant possesses the ability to recognize and work with the specific needs of students in the LCE program. Candidates must be able to demonstrate understanding, patience, and empathy for the special needs of their students, including the ability to recognize and adjust for the limitations and strengths of the students and encourage and support their inclusion in the mainstream classes, programs and activities throughout the school. The candidate must be able to work with the students towards the goal of mainstreaming and inclusion with the general student population.

Specific Roles/Responsibilities:

•  Provide a safe, supportive and fun environment that motivates and challenges students
•  Provide direct support to students in both the LCE and inclusive Classrooms
•  Supervise students on a daily basis as determined by the LCE team;
  • on the playground and in the lunchroom in order to maintain student safety and develop their life skills, social and physical skills
  • when transitioning between classes
  • during inclusion in their mainstream classes
•  Provide a safe, supportive and fun environment that motivates and challenges students
•  Physically assist students with tasks of daily living such as eating, using the bathroom, and dressing, as determined by individual student needs
•  Work closely within the LCE team to;
  •  prepare demonstrations, visual aids and adapted material 
  •  develop and lead classroom activities and games to develop social and creative skillsfor students in the LCE
  •  gather data and document progress or behavior for individual students in a consistent and agreed upon manner
  •  develop and implement a student’s learning and behavioral plans with a focus on assisting them to meet their IEP goals
  •  provide parents with activities to support their children at home
•  Implement recommendations from specialists in Speech and Language, occupational and physical therapy, and sensory integration under the direction of the LCE teacher
•  Participate in and supervising an intercultural trip (2-4 days) or class field trip as required
•  Sponsor a minimum of one extra-curricular student activity as required

Required Qualifications, Skills and Qualities:

•  Bachelor’s Degree in Special Needs or Education
•  Experience working with elementary school students Pre K through grade 5
•  Strong interpersonal and communication skills
•  Strong student advocacy skills
•  Strong organization skills
•  Good computer skills
•  Fluent English speaker with proficient writing and spelling skills
•  Student-centered and nurturing personality
•  Commitment to collaborative planning
•  Self-motivated and demonstrates initiative, flexibility and creativity
•  Has a professional and ethical approach to work.
•  Commitment to continuous personal and professional growth.
•  Commitment to Mission and Educational Aims of ISK.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Qualities:

•  Experience working with children with special needs
•  Experience with adaptive technology