Job Title:        SPED Aide-Life Skills & OJT                    Exemption Status/Test: Nonexempt

Reports to:      Principal and teacher(s)                               Date Revised:  02/21/2025

Dept./School:  Assigned Campus - LHS

Primary Purpose:

Help meet physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a self-contained classroom. Assist in the implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of the principal and immediate direction of a certified teacher. This position is for someone that respects diversity. If you are highly motivated and have a passion to work with students with disabilities, this position is for you.

The employee fulfilling this job is accountable to the assigned teacher and will support students in their classroom based on their level of disability. The employee will be held to high standards of accuracy, attention to detail, and timely completion of work. Expectations include a pleasant and professional demeanor, a positive attitude, and an outgoing personality. The employee must also maintain confidentiality and be willing to engage in professional development if requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Associate’s degree preferred but not required, two years of study at an institution of higher learning, or have met formal academic assessment as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.

HS Diploma/GED

Valid Texas educational aide certificate

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:

Instructional Support

1. Help the 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; positioning; or assisting students with personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
2. Help manage the behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed.
3. Recognize differences in each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly.
4. Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by a teacher.
5. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes the lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
6. 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students

Posture: Frequent standing; 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 non-ambulatory 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

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. You understand that supplemental duty assignments may be modified or discontinued at any time for any reason or no reason at all, at the sole discretion of the District, and that the Board of Trustees may change, modify, or eliminate the stipend for supplemental duties at any time. This job description may not be changed, edited or added to without the written consent of the Director of Personnel, LISD.

Salary : $17,000 - $28,738