The Alamosa School District is the largest district in the San Luis Valley in southcentral Colorado. An area known for both the natural beauty of the Rockies and its rich history of Latinx cultural influence, the area is also among the poorest in the State in terms of household income and related social indicators. Working closely with the Special Ed classroom teacher, subject matter classroom teachers, and other paraprofessionals, this position matches the volunteer with a small cohort of students for whom they provide on-going instructional supports each day throughout the four-days-a-week school year. This position is well-suited to someone who is considering or has been trained for a teaching career and wants to explore this path through a service opportunity without the full responsibilities of a classroom teacher.
Description:
- Work with individual students or small groups to achieve and reinforce the skills and materials needed for success in a range of subject area classes.
- Assist Special Ed teacher and other assigned classroom teachers in identifying and working towards identified teaching objectives for each student.
- Prepare and guide materials for independent or small group study and remedial work.
- Devise strategies based on sympathetic understanding of individual students and their academic and emotional needs and abilities.
- Maintain cooperative relationships among students, parents, and staff involved with Special Ed student support services.
- Add knowledge of Spanish and relevant cultural information within all involved classrooms and activities, as able and helpful to students and families.
- Help to supervise students outside the classroom and participate in faculty meetings and professional development opportunities, as requested.
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Basic Spanish and experience in Latinx cultural contexts a plus
- Teacher education degree, courses, or informal teaching experience working with specific learning objective a plus
- Special Ed-specific courses or experience a plus
- Experience and enjoyment of working daily with children/youth
- General literacy with common computer applications
- Able to work collaboratively with a diverse range of students, staff, and families
- Reliability and punctuality within assigned school building structure and schedule