Albuquerque Public Schools
K8 Special Education Assistant
Native American Community Academy is currently seeking to fill their open K8 Special Education Assistant position.
Job Overview
- Posting Date: April 11, 2025 - Closing Date: Open until filled
- Salary Range:
- Job Description or School Website
School Overview:
The Native American Community Academy (NACA) is a free, public charter school within Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) that integrates culture, wellness, language, community, and college preparation into education. Rooted in Native traditions and rigorous academics, we foster excellence in students, dedication in teachers, and commitment from families. Serving Kindergarten through 12th grade, NACA welcomes students from over 60 tribes and diverse backgrounds. Our goal is to develop confident, academically prepared, and healthy individuals who embody our core values. Joining NACA means becoming part of a community dedicated to innovative, identity-affirming education.
Position Summary:
NACA is seeking a compassionate and accountable special education program assistant for kindergarten through grade 8 who can be part of a highly collaborative special education department in order to prepare exceptional learners to thrive as empowered, healthy, well-rounded, responsible adult members of their communities.
Key Responsibilities:
• Develop positive, trusting relationships with students with disabilities.
• Assist teachers and therapists in contributing to a positive and effective environment.
• Help ensure the safety of students with limited safety awareness while in class, and during transitions between activities or learning spaces.
• Assist with toileting and cleaning of students with limited personal hygiene skills.
• Read and follow Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and Individualized Health Management Plans (IHMPs), under the guidance of other educators.
• Maintain confidentiality within the school and within the community at large regarding students with disabilities and their families.
• Coordinate and communicate with teachers and therapists on daily classroom activities for students with disabilities.
• Support academic engagement of students with disabilities.
• Create, organize, distribute, collect and safely store learning equipment, supplies and materials under the guidance of teachers and therapists.
• Accompany and assist students in outdoor or off-campus activities and instruction (such as gardening, swimming, bowling, learning experiences with animals, field trips, etc.).
• Create and maintain daily skills checklists for students with disabilities, under the guidance of a special education teacher or therapist.
• Help assess the progress of students with disabilities, relative to their IEP goals, under the guidance of a special education teacher or therapist.
• Participate actively in special education meetings and department-wide and school-wide professional development.
• Participate in, and complete required paid training on autism, instructional interventions, crisis prevention and intervention, first aid, safe lifts and transfers, and other topics.
• Maintain healthy professional relationships with supervisors, colleagues, students and families.
Supervision and Reporting:
The employee will work under the supervision of the NACA Director of Exceptional Student Services. This is a full-time position: 40 hours per week. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch break is 30 minutes daily.
Required Skills
• NMPED Level 3 Education Assistant License (pre-K-12).
• Preferred prior experience with children.
• Preferred prior experience working in Native American or community school settings.
• High school diploma.
• Growth mindset.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Able to regularly stand, sit, run, walk, catch, talk, listen, reach, stoop, bend, kneel, or stretch.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds short distances.
• Specific vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
• Ability to pass Albuquerque Public Schools background check.
Benefit Information
Application Process
Email a cover letter and resume including phone number(s). Salary is competitive depending on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.
Contact Information
Bill Nichols, Director of Exceptional Student Services, Email: nichols@nacaschool.org