John W. Costello Elementary School

300 Strathcona Drive SW, Calgary

Overall Accountability

The Education Assistant (EA) I is a vital member of the student’s learning teams/education team, working alongside teachers and other professionals to support students with a wide range of learning need, including academic, social, emotional, (mild to severe), medical, and physical requirements. Additionally, the EA I may assist with clerical or administrative tasks in the school office as required.

The EA I works directly with students in the classroom, providing individual or group support to ensure successful learning experiences. This support may involve activities of daily living, behavior management, and facilitating curriculum delivery, depending on student needs.

The EA I reports to the Principal or designate and takes directions from the Teacher. In collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, which may include Occupational Therapists (OT), Physical Therapists (PT), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP), Psychologists, and Mental Health professionals, the EA I may help implement individual learning plans. The EA I also supports students outside the classroom, supervising during recess, lunch, and field trips, and contributing to special events and celebrations.

Specific Accountabilities

• Assists students individually and in small groups to achieve curriculum programming (goals and objectives).

• Assists in providing programming support and activities of daily living such as student self-care (dressing, toileting/diapering etc.)

• At times performs physically demanding tasks to meet the unique and personal needs of students with complex physical and/or medical needs, e.g., hand-over-hand instruction, lifting and transferring, personal hygiene, toileting/diapering, feeding, range of motion, walking and stretching, physical restraint to manage inappropriate behavior.

• Prepares and organizes materials, including assembling displays, duplicating, and distributing educational resources to support classroom activities.

• Provides clerical support, such as filing, processing transportation passes, handling mail and faxes, and assisting with other administrative tasks as required.

• Disinfecting and general housekeeping.

• Participates in providing one-on-one (1:1) support for students while promoting a safe, calm and positive and inclusive learning environment. This may include Learning Support Plans (LSP) goals and objectives and provide teachers with information regarding the progress of students.

• Prepares materials in relation to support for students with diverse learning needs.

• Supervises students as assigned by the principal or principal designate during out-of-class activities, such as recess, lunch, class transitions, and field trips.

• Assists in managing inappropriate behavior, which may include implementation of NVCI physical restraint techniques (when certified)

• Assists and encourages student participation in learning activities, during school celebrations, liturgical events, services and attendance at Mass.

• Assists with demonstrations, creative activities, and classroom events (Kindergarten Assistant and School Assistant – specific to younger learners).

• Demonstrates initiative and independence in the management of class time.

• Supports language acquisition, communication and cultural awareness

Qualifications

• Category 3:

  • High school diploma
  • High school diploma and the equivalent of a minimum of one (1) year post-secondary course study;

• ** For current employees, successful experience working with diverse learning students is considered work performed as a probationary and/or regular employee).

• Experience working with students with diverse learning needs is preferred.

• Specialized experience in areas such as PUF, English as an Additional Language or clerical support is an asset.

Certifications

• • Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid Certificates
  • Lifting techniques
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention\

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Fluency in languages will be a definite asset for French Immersion and International Spanish Academy schools

The Calgary Catholic School District is committed to fair and accessible employment practices and considers catholicity, equity, diversity, and inclusivity to be foundational to its institutional success.

The Calgary Catholic School District seeks to foster a workplace that reflects the full breadth of the communities it serves.

If selected as the successful candidate for this position, please be aware that you will be required, as a condition of employment, to submit to the District a police information check (PIC) prior to your start date . The check must be issued at the time of the job offer or within the past six months. Please note, the cost of the police information check will be the responsibility of the candidate. NOTE: Applicants who live in Calgary can apply for Police Information Check (PIC) electronically by visiting the following CPS website: https://www.calgary.ca/cps/public-services/police-information-checks.html