Education Assistant - For the Visually Impaired

Education Assistant - For the Visually Impaired Part Time / Full Time
Career Opportunity Education Assistant - For the Visually Impaired
Wage:
$31.00 per hour
Mission Public Schools is dedicated to providing our students with an educational environment that nurtures the development of an Educated Citizen.
Located in the beautiful Fraser Valley, Mission is a vibrant and diverse community with over 6200 students and 850 employees.
We are committed to providing a safe, equitable, and inclusive educational system for all students in our thirteen urban and rural elementary schools, two middle schools, one secondary school, distributed learning centre, alternative learning centre, and vocational and technical college.
We are accepting resumes for a part-time Term Education Assistant with Student Services.
This is an itinerant position, so travel between sites is an expectation.
This is work of a support nature, working as part of the Student Services Department, assisting the district Teacher for the Visually Impaired, and the regular classroom teachers, by supplementing and reinforcing teacher-taught lessons and concepts with children who are visually impaired.
Under the direction of the Teacher for the Visually Impaired, and with the general supervision of the Director of Student Services, the Education Assistant-Visually Impaired (EA-VI) works with students on an individual basis and follows an established program to assist students with their regular classroom assignments as well as the expanded core curriculum related to their visual impairment.
The EA-VI also prepares braille transcriptions to assist students in keeping up with their regular assignments.
Initially, the type of assistance and assignments are outlined in detail by the teacher in conjunction with the school administrator and closely supervised.
As the EA-VI becomes familiar with the program, materials, and students, some independence of judgment is exercised within established guidelines.
Communication between teacher(s) and EA-VI regarding student progress takes place on a regular basis.
EA-VI Duties include, but are not limited to:

Produces Unified English Braille, Unified English Braille for Technical Material, with the use of computer braille translation software and on a Perkins brailler
Transcribes braille copy into print format
Acts as a reader or scribe for students who have no technical means of access or output
Acts as a sighted guide when necessary, and supports concepts of orientation and mobility
Works with students to reinforce concepts previously taught by both internal and external contacts through review, repetition, demonstration, and drills
Responsible for inventory and maintenance of books, tapes, materials, and equipment on loan from the Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired and Special Education Technology BC
Assists students in their use of technology
Provides general assistance to students to organize their work, stay on task, locate resource material, and check for understanding
Attends classes with students to provide assistance to the student and/or teacher, makes notes for review with student
Provides written and verbal feedback to teacher regarding student progress and behavior
May be required to work at more than one location during a workday
Maintains clerical aspects of programs, including photocopying, collating, and filing, etc.
Assists students in the operation of computer programs
Assists students to follow individualized programs, such as communication program, vision program
Performs other related duties as may reasonably be expected of a person in this position
Required Qualifications
Completion of secondary school
Completion of a recognized program of studies at the post-secondary level in Special Education Assistant or related courses plus a certificate in Unified English Braille and Unified English Braille for Technical Materials (Math and Science)
Valid B.C.
Class 5 driver's license
Required Experience
A minimum of six (6) months experience in a similar role related experience working with children
Required Skills and Abilities
Proven interest in and ability to work with children who are visually impaired
Good understanding of the effects that visual impairment may have regarding child development
Ability to creatively describe situations and the functions of objects to visually impaired students
Artistic and technical ability to produce tactile diagrams, raised line drawings, maps, charts, and symbols for Socials, Science, and Math
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the use of computers, with familiarity with Microsoft Word, the Duxbury Braille Translator or equivalent software
Good observation, articulation, and listening discrimination skills and the ability to keep accurate notes
Ability to assist learning in a variety of subjects
Willing to participate in related in-service training
Excellent communication skills to work with students and to provide feedback to teachers, principals, and, within district guidelines, parents an ability to learn and follow prescribed educational programs and methods to assist students
Note:
A Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check will be required from the successful applicant, with a review every five (5) years.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Qualified applicants are invited to submit an application package which should include the following:

Cover Letter
Resume (Include recent professional development activities)
Copies of:
Diploma/degree
Three professional references
The interest of all applicants is appreciated; however, only those short-listed for interviews will be contacted.
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