Special Education Assistant

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Assistant Principal, Special Education, the Special Education Paraprofessional (Paraprofessional) will provide support and assistance to classroom teachers in caring for the physical needs of students, and in providing support and assistance to classroom teachers and students in presenting educational material and development exercises through a combination of experience and formal education.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of activities pertinent to training, physical care, disciplining, and tutoring in order to instill habits, knowledge, and skills in students with disabilities.
• Assist teachers in implementing lessons or portions of lessons to a student or a group of students, check accuracy of work, and present additional assignments as directed by a teacher.
• Assist students in the use of books, classroom materials, and equipment; adjust or rephrase portions of text and classroom instructions as needed.
• Keep routine records related to recording attendance, grades, test scores, and lunch money.
• Assist teachers with the use of electronic equipment and presentation of materials and methods to reinforce lessons to students.
• Lift students in and out of holding or locomotive devices and on and off buses when trained by appropriate staff.
• Assist students with all aspects of hygiene, which may include diapering and lifting on and off the toilet, changing tables, and mats when trained by appropriate staff.
• Assist students with the use of mobility equipment such as leg braces, walkers, mobile standers, and tricycles when trained by appropriate staff.
• Assist teachers in working with students who may be demonstrating behaviors such as hitting, biting, scratching, and running; work as a member of a team to implement the behavior support plan and/or crisis plan when trained by appropriate staff.
• Under the teachers direction, participate in data collection on behaviors as part of behavior support plan development and implementation.
• Assist teachers in maintaining an environment conducive for learning and encouraging appropriate behavior by students using a consistent team approach.
• Assist teachers in carrying out positive reinforcement procedures and reactive strategies identified in a behavior support plan, such as prompting student to switch to functionality equivalent replacement behavior and debriefing during the school day.
• Assist teachers on field trips by helping students with physical needs, maintaining discipline, and reinforcing learning situations.
• Assist bus drivers in maintaining discipline and responding to the physical needs of students.
• Supervise a group of students in the temporary absence of the responsible teacher when notified.
• Document service notes in Welligent as requested.
• May obtain food from the cafeteria, serve food, and feed students or help them to feed themselves.
• May make minor adjustments on special equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, braces, standing tables, and gurneys when trained by appropriate staff.
• May act as a resource regarding student issues at Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, if requested.
• May take student temperatures, administer first aid, and provide basic nursing care as directed or authorized by the School Nurse.
• May carry out the instructions of a Supervising Special Education Paraprofessional or certificated employee to implement special physical handling, care, or exercises prescribed by doctors, nurses, or therapists when trained by appropriate staff.
• May work with teachers, agencies, and private companies to assist in making job placements for graduates or vocational courses and may take students to job interviews.
• Maintain calm, professional demeanor.
Perform such other tasks as may be assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent required, along with an AA degree or higher or 60 semester or 90 quarter units from a recognized college or university.
• Experience working in an educational setting strongly preferred.
• Experience working with students with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities preferred.
• Experience working with special equipment, such as wheelchairs and braces, preferred.
• A First-Aid Certificate issued by a recognized First Aid training program must be obtained within sixty (60) days after appointment and must be kept valid during the term of employment.
• A CPR Certificate issued by a recognized CPR training program must be obtained within sixty (60) days after appointment and kept valid during the term of employment.
• Some positions may require the ability to directly assist in the lifting or moving of students.
• Some positions may require the use of multi-person lifting techniques and the use of mechanical lifting equipment to lift or move pupils who weigh in excess of 50 pounds.
Some positions may require the provision of physical support to pupils of any weight to assist their movement.

Right to Revise

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive, and additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned without prior written notice. The School reserves the right to revise this job description as necessary, without advance notice. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, nothing herein shall be construed as a contract for employment.