Position Title: Instructional Aide, Special Education Department
Reports to: Special Education, Director
Minimum Qualifications: BA. Minimum of 1 year working with students in a K-8 school
ABOUT CAPITOL COLLEGIATE
Capitol Collegiate Academy serves a critical role in the educational offerings for students in Sacramento. In 2025, just over 40% of students in California were proficient in reading and less than 65% were proficient in math. Schools in South Sacramento offer a more troubling picture. Capitol Collegiate’s college preparatory K-8 program addresses this inequity and provides a public-school option that puts students on a long-term path from kindergarten to college.
Students at Capitol Collegiate, the vast majority of whom are socioeconomically disadvantaged, are achieving in English Language Arts, Math, and Science at levels significantly higher than their peers in South Sacramento. Close to 55% of our students are reading proficiently, while their peers at schools they would otherwise attend average 20% reading proficiency.
Capitol Collegiate Academy is based on two core ideas: a cohesive school climate and a rigorous academic program. Both are grounded in the absolute belief that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, have the right to an excellent, college-preparatory education starting in kindergarten.
Our committed, exceptional staff serve 500 students in grades TK- 8. With opportunities for leadership; support from coaches and leaders; and strong, trusting, professional staff relationships, we are proud of high teacher and staff retention.
We attribute a large part of our success to the high expectations we hold for students; the support we provide for our students; and the systems that promote efficiency and focus all attention on the joy of learning. Capitol Collegiate Academy’s cohesive school climate ensures that we maximize the instructional time that we have with every student attending our school.
For more information about our school please visit our website at
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT ROLE:
The Capitol Collegiate Instructional Assistant, Special Education (SPED) plays a critical role in supporting students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 accommodations to ensure they meet the school's high academic and behavioral expectations. The IA works directly with students in need of specialized academic instruction and behavioral support, providing tailored interventions that help students make progress toward their individual goals. In close collaboration with Education Specialists and general education teachers, the IA assists in implementing IEPs, accommodations, and modifications, ensuring that students receive the support necessary for success in the classroom.
The Instructional Assistant, SPED is also responsible for assisting in the execution of individualized learning strategies and supporting students with their academic tasks. This includes providing targeted interventions and support within the context of the classroom and other instructional settings, working to help students achieve both academic and social-emotional growth.
Capitol Collegiate seeks an IA, SPED who is dedicated to continuous professional growth, values collaboration, and is committed to supporting students' unique needs in a positive, structured, and achievement-oriented learning environment. This individual must believe in the power of effective systems and routines that maximize instructional time and help all students thrive academically.
The Instructional Assistant, SPED will also help ensure that students receive necessary behavioral support and academic accommodations to allow them to fully access and participate in school activities, fostering an environment of inclusion and success.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Support the Implementation of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs):
- Assist in the implementation of IEPs for students, ensuring services and accommodations are provided as outlined in each student’s plan.
- Collaborate regularly with special education and general education staff to ensure alignment and effective service delivery.
- Follow the IEP as it is written, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.
- Participate in IEP meetings, demonstrating strong preparation, and contribute to discussions around student progress and needs.
Provide Specialized Academic Instruction and Behavioral Support:
- Under the direction of the Education Specialist, deliver specialized academic instruction and behavioral interventions based on each student's IEP goals.
- Employ research-based instructional strategies and behavioral techniques to support students’ academic growth and social-emotional development.
- Provide content clearly and effectively, ensuring that students understand key concepts and content needed to achieve their IEP goals and grade-level standards.
- Use a variety of instructional methods to address different learning needs, including differentiated instruction and accommodations.
- Allocate instructional time to focus on critical content, prioritizing the goals in the IEP.
- Identify and address student misunderstandings by adjusting instruction or re-teaching concepts as needed.
- Regularly check student understanding using both formal and informal assessment data.
- Use data from school-adopted and other assessments to inform and adjust instructional practices.
Actively Participate in School Professional Development:
- Participate in ongoing professional development to enhance instructional strategies, behavioral techniques, and overall support for students with special needs.
- Collaborate with the Principal, Education Specialists, and general education teachers to continuously improve instructional practices.
- Engage in coaching sessions, actively seeking feedback to refine skills and practices.
- Demonstrate a willingness to grow professionally by receiving and implementing feedback from colleagues and supervisors.
Consistently Uphold School Values and Professional Standards:
- Foster positive, collaborative, and supportive relationships with colleagues, students, and families.
- Contribute actively to individual and school-wide goals through collaboration and teamwork.
- Take on additional responsibilities as needed, maintaining flexibility in a fast-paced school environment.
- Participate in school events, activities, and community-building efforts to support the school culture.
- Arrive on time for work, meetings, and scheduled classes or student pickup times.
- Develop and maintain efficient systems to manage tasks, meet deadlines, and respond to unexpected events or schedule changes.
- Maintain a sense of urgency and enthusiasm in instructional delivery, preparation, and engagement with students.
- Communicate respectfully and professionally with students, families, colleagues, and school partners.
- Participate actively in meetings and professional development sessions, offering thoughtful contributions that help advance discussions and problem-solving.
- Adhere to the school’s dress code, ensuring a professional and respectful appearance at all times.
Minimum Education Level:
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, special education, or a related field.
Experience Preferred:
- At least 1+ year of experience working in a school setting, with a focus on supporting students with disabilities, implementing IEPs, and providing academic and behavioral interventions.
- Experience working with students who have significant behavioral needs, learning disabilities, or trauma, preferably in urban schools or diverse communities.
- Familiarity with 504 accommodations and special education services.
Required Skills & Characteristics:
- A strong belief in and alignment with Capitol Collegiate Academy’s core beliefs and educational philosophy.
- Evidence of self-motivation, initiative, and a willingness to collaborate as part of a team.
- Commitment to providing high-quality, specialized support for students with diverse needs.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a calm, focused, and solutions-oriented approach when faced with unexpected challenges or high-pressure situations.
- A genuine passion for working with students with special needs, including those with IEPs, 504 accommodations, and other individualized support services.
- Ability to adapt to a highly structured and fast-paced school environment while maintaining professionalism and composure.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community partners.
- Willingness to engage in continuous professional development and improve instructional practices based on feedback and student needs.
Desired Skills & Characteristics:
- Experience with research-based behavioral management techniques and interventions.
- Knowledge of and experience with special education laws, including IDEA, Section 504, and other relevant state and federal policies.
- Familiarity with using data to monitor student progress and adjust instructional strategies accordingly.
- Flexibility and a growth mindset, with a strong focus on student-centered outcomes.
- A collaborative approach to problem-solving, with a focus on contributing to a positive, inclusive, and achievement-oriented school culture.
COMPENSATION: Salary for this position IS $22 - $32 per hour and is competitive and commensurate with experience. Additionally, Capitol Collegiate offers a comprehensive benefits package.
START DATE July 29, 2026 for the 2026-27 school year
TO APPLY To apply email a resume to
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $22.00 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- AD&D insurance
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- school based: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Sacramento, CA 95832 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Sacramento, CA 95832: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person