Primary Learning Support Assistant (One-year Contract)

Faculty

Position Purpose and Overview

The Learning Support Assistant will be responsible for effective planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities, learning engagements and modified instruction that is provided to primary student(s). This position will be working with primary-aged students.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Students

Develop a clear understanding of the students’ learning needs to be able to support them within the school; including by reading and interpreting psych ed reports and other medical documentation, interviewing students and speaking with parents and teachers regularly.
Work with the LSC to develop realistic, measurable goals for identified students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) or Student Support Plans (SSP’s) to aid with academic and overall well being; by working with students in crisis on a walk in basis and following up with internal and external professionals; also supporting ongoing non-academic issues.
Contribute to, and edit, students IEP/SSP documents to maintain evidence of development and progress with individual goals and overall academics and well being; including reviewing teacher reports/comments to generate LRC term comments.
Coordinate 1:1 weekly/bi-weekly meetings with students to determine academic progress, homework or assessments, updates any goals or skills being used on the IEP/SSP.
Attend classrooms to directly support students through:
- Clarifying and explaining instructions or tasks to ensure they are understood by students.
- Assisting students in their weaker areas (eg: language, reading, math, focus, fine motor skills, etc.)
- Meeting physical needs of students while, as required, while fostering independence.
- Supporting students to familiarize and make use of accommodations to support their learning.
- Facilitating small group work to enhance the student’s academic, behavioural, and social skills.
- Monitoring student’s social-emotional development and implement strategies, as required, to ensure positive social-emotional growth; liaise with LSC or counsellor as required.
- Ensuring student’s physical safety.
- Assisting students to prepare for upcoming assessments through practice, use of tools, use of accommodations, etc.
- Adapt learning materials to students’ needs.
- Keep track of and reflect on students’ progress.

Supporting Teachers

Liaise with teachers responsible for students to ensure appropriate implementation of accommodations and strategies to enhance learning and well-being.
Attends, and as needed conduct, meetings specific to students who the LSA is directly responsible for
Develop/adapt appropriate resources and materials to support students in the classroom (in accordance with limitation of the MYP/DP)
Support LSC in designing curriculum modifications for specific students
Educate and support teachers understanding of various learner profiles and strategies for student support; individually, at meetings and in house Pro D sessions
Work collaboratively with primary teachers to communicate assessment and evaluation strategies
Assists teachers in the planning and implementation of individualized and/or group behaviour programs in specialized or integrated settings, such as regular or resource classrooms

Other Responsibilities

Liaise with parents of students with IEP’s/SSP’s (with communication/knowledge of LSC).
Invigilate assessments including the provision of accommodations for students with IEP/SSP’s.
Attends staff meetings for the Senior School
Attend appropriate Professional Development as determined by the LSC and the Program Coordinators.
Initiate and assist in the development of and running of after school clubs and programs and Service Initiatives for students
Participates in supervisory and chaperone duties for student camps and breaks
Cover for supervisor and LSA absences within department
Collaborate with the learning support team (e.g. school counsellors and speech therapists) to create holistic intervention plans collaborating with parents and school staff to track students’ progresses

This job profile outlines the key responsibilities for the roles and is not meant to be exhaustive. This will include performing the administrative and related tasks or any other responsibilities required to reasonably meet the needs of St. John’s School, including, but not limited to the general duties outlined in the position profile.

It should be understood that the activities, responsibilities and obligations of this position may be modified from time to time, through discussion between the direct supervisor and the employee, in order to effectively meet the requirements of the School. On rare occasions where there are urgent needs at the School, an employee may be assigned to temporarily backfill role(s) critical to the school’s operations and business continuity.

Reporting Structure

Department: Junior School
Reports to: Junior School Principal
Direct Reports (#s): None
Key Interactions:
- Internal: Faculty, non-teaching employees, Junior School Principal, and Assistant Principal.
- External: Parents, students, and alumni.

Position Details

Full-time temporary position.
Maternity leave coverage from September 2024 to June 2025.
Primary Learning Support Assistant salary will be paid at 4PC/0 on the school’s teachers salary grid.
Three weeks of winter break and two weeks of spring break as vacation.
Comprehensive benefits package.

Required Qualifications and Key Skills

Education & Work Experience

Completion of a secondary school graduation program or equivalent.
Successful completion of a secondary school graduation program or equivalent.
2+ years experience as an assistant teacher at a primary level.
Experience working with children with designations (ADHD, Autism, Sensory, and Regulation Needs).
Experience with documentation in an educational environment.
Experience helping children navigate through social emotional development.
A sound knowledge of early childhood development.
Knowledge and understanding of the Primary School level curriculum.
A valid BC Certification of Teaching would be considered an asset.

Qualities and Skills

Awareness of early years learning and diverse needs.
Professionalism and Patience.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Willingness to partner and collaborate with teachers to support the needs of the individual child.
Dynamic and engaging educator.
Ability to implement behavioural management techniques as well as flexibility in response to student behaviours (e.g. adjusting and adapting strategies).
Ability to work independently and cooperatively while following the direction and guidance of classroom/resource teachers.

Conditions of Employment

The successful candidate will be required to complete child abuse prevention training, concussion training, Level 1 first-Aid training provided by St. John’s School and provide consent for a criminal background check for vulnerable sector
Clearance on criminal record check for vulnerable sector is a condition of employment
Ability to legally work in Canada, in an educational setting is a condition of employment

Applications

All interested candidates should include the following items in their applications:

Resume & Cover Letter
Names, email addresses, and phone number of three professional references
Copies of any relevant certificates and diplomas
Send to Catriona Cheng, Director of Finance & HR, Email hr@sjs.ca
The posting will be active until filled

St. John’s School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. John’s School is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring a barrier-free work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified job seekers, from BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color), persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ (persons of all sexual orientations and genders). If you are an applicant with a disability, we will work with you to make reasonable workplace accommodations you may need for your best work performance.