Special Education Aide

Primary Purpose

Help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in special education setting. Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid paraprofessional certificate or equivalent
• Meet NCLB Paraprofessional Highly Qualified Requirements

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Knowledge of general office equipment

Experience

Some experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties

General Responsibilities:

     1.Establishes and maintains effective working relationships within the district to ensure the district’s goals and

  objectives are met

     2. Expresses ideas and information effectively in both oral and written form

     3. Promotes campus teamwork and interdistrict teamwork

     4. Demonstrates ability to negotiate fair resolutions and solutions

     5. Read, understands and consistently applies or adheres to district policy and administrative procedure

     6. Conducts self in manner that promotes the best image of the district

     7. Knows when to seek assistance outside his or her department

     8. Plans for the effective completion of assignments and projects

     9. Adheres to priorities and deadlines

     10. Demonstrates flexibility in responding to changes in priorities and within the district

     11. Provides information to relevant audiences in a timely and effective manner

     12. Communicates clearly with others in a respectful and professional manner

     13. Effectively represents his or her department’s role as it relates to the district’s mission and goals

Instructional Support

1. Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
2. Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
3. Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
4. Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
5. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

1. Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
2. Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
3. Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
4. Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
5. Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
6. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
7. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.

Other

1. Maintain confidentiality.
2. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
3. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals

Posture: Frequent sitting; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking and reaching

Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting nonambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment

Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases)

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

EEOC Statement:
Blanco I.S.D. will not discriminate against any person in employment or exclude any person from participating in or receiving benefits of any of its activities or programs on any basis prohibited on the bases of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit based factor. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.