Primary Learning Support Assistant

Position Purpose & 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 Princ