Special Education Instructional Aide- Amarillo Collegiate Academy

Role Mission:

ResponsiveEd’s Special EducationInstructional Aide position is ideal for a candidate looking to gain valuable experience in Special Education teaching. Special EducationInstructional Aides support the Special Education teacher as they work with students who have a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities to support their academic needs. 

What You’ll Do:

• Assist in the educational and social development of students under the direction and guidance of the classroom teacher and campus administration.
• Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress.
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside of the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities.
• Work with other professionals, such as speech therapists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists.
• Assist classroom teachers with maintaining student records.
• Assist in scheduling Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings and Individual Evaluations/Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) ensuring that all timeline requirements are met.
• Assist in acquiring contracted service providers as needed.
• Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a regular basis, and that the findings are used to make special education services more effective.
• Update and send IEP Report Cards to parents at the same time that the general report cards are sent.
• Plan the necessary time, resources, and materials to support general education teachers in accomplishing educational goals of students receiving special education services.
• Ensure compliance with all state mandated assessments and alternative assessments, including their selection and administration.
• Assist the campus administrator with the Response to Intervention process.
• Seek assistance as needed from IDEA Coordination supervisor.
• Demonstrate support for the campus's student management policies and assist with behavior management strategies as they relate to students with disabilities.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, teachers, and administrators.
• Implement ResponsiveEd’s Special Education school board policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Compile and maintain all reports, records, and other documents required by law and/or the Director of Special Education.
• Perform special projects, during and after normal business hours, and other duties as assigned. NOTE: After normal business hours may include, but is not limited to, Saturday Mandatory State Tutorials.

What You’ll Bring: 

• A passion for students, especially students with disabilities.
• Ability and patience to work interactively with students, especially students with disabilities.
• Working knowledge of and compliance with federal and state special education law.
• Working knowledge of and compliance with individualized services for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of and compliance with the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process.
• Knowledge of the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process.
• Knowledge of and compliance with Transition.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills to implement multiple and diverse programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Learn and implement teaching curriculum software programs and instruct students on utilization.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of students with disabilities, parents, administrative staff, and Campus Directors.
• Ability to effectively interpret policy, procedures, and student data such as diagnostic test results, state assessments scoring, transcripts, and grade point average.
• Ability to transition with district, campus, and/or department changes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with and receive guidance from supervisors
• Manage multiple priorities effectively.

Education and Experience:

Prior to providing services, Special Education Instructional Aides must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate; 
• Have experience working with students or parents as approved by the employing superintendent
• Have satisfied ONE of the following requirements: 
• Have three creditable years of experience as either an Educational Aide I or II
• Have 30 semester hours of college credit with some emphasis on child growth and development or related subject areas
• Completion of an Education Service CenterInstructional Aide certification course