Please contact the district or school with any questions regarding this position.

Primary Purpose:

Help meet physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities.  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 hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
Have met formal academic assessment, associate’s degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning*
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 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. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
  3. Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed.
  4. Recognize differences in each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly.
  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.

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.
  4. Alternative methods of performing duties.

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

Position Purpose


-  Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.



Essential Job Functions


-  Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills. 


-  Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.


-  Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.


-  Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.


-  Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.


-  Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.


-  Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.


-  Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.


-  Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed.


-  Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.


-  Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.


-  Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.


-  Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.


-  Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.



Additional Duties:


-  Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.


-  Perform any other related duties as assigned.


Note:   The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.



Equipment


-  Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.



Travel Requirements


-  Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.



Knowledge, Skills and Abilities


-  Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.


-  Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.


-  Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).


-  Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.


-  Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.


-  Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.


-  Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.


-  Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.


-  Effective writing and verbal communication skills.



Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards


-  Works in standard office and school building environments.


-  Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.


Note:   Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.



Qualifications Profile


-  Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying.  Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:


-  High School diploma or equivalent.


-  Successful completion of college level coursework or passing of examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.


-  Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.


FLSA Status:             Non-exempt


Date: