DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION:

Under the supervision of the principal and special education teachers, assist in providing specialized instruction, health or behavior management services to students in Special Education

and/or the regular classroom.  Provide individual care to students with specialized health care or learning needs. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist teachers and other professional personnel with instructional and behavior management activities in special education and/or the regular classroom.
• Tutor individual students and small groups of student to reinforce and follow up on learning activities: monitor and assist students through drills, practice and study trip activities; supervise students as directed.
• Work with students with multiple physical, emotional and learning disabilities.
• Provide specialized physical health care services to students who require such services during the school day.  All services are provided pursuant to a physician’s authorization and under supervision of a qualified school nurse, qualified public health nurse or licensed physician. 
• Review daily lesson plans with instructional personnel; consult with the teachers regarding student individualized education program (IEP) and health care plan.
• Assist the special education teachers with the presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises.
• Assist students in the development of small muscle and eye-hand coordination activities.  Help students to achieve motor control, body awareness and behavioral management.
• Observe behavior of students to see that they do not injure themselves or others.
• Set up work areas and prepare materials for appropriate instructional activities.
• Engage in physical and sometimes strenuous activities with students such as running, lifting, weight shifting and positioning of students.  May be required to apply physical restraint. 
• Operate a variety of instructional media and equipment.
• Provide a variety of clerical and supportive tasks such as maintaining confidential student records.
• Attend to the personal care need of some students with physical care procedures such as toileting, washing and feeding.  This may also include assistance with aids such as hearing amplification aides, braces, crutches and wheel chairs.
• Attend training regarding physical or health care, daily living assistance, behavior management or crisis intervention as appropriate. 
• Assist students with developing skills that lead students to join the mainstream educational environment or work independently. 
• Assist certificated teacher(s) in implementing curriculum, including but not limited to software applications and hardware.
• Implement learning situations, which may include individualized instruction. 
• Assist in supervising students to maintain an effective learning environment.
• Prepare instructional materials for use in the classroom; make copies, gather appropriate resource information and materials as designed by teacher(s).
• Administer and correct tests as assigned.
• Confer with teachers regarding students’ progress, program evaluation, problem areas, etc.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Provide individual and small group assistance to students.
• Assist the teacher in implementing IEP goals and objectives.
• Assist with organization and maintenance of an orderly, organized classroom setting.
• Demonstrate effective behavioral management strategies under the direction of the teacher.
• Prepare instructional materials such as bulletin boards, games, art materials, science materials, etc.
• Assist teacher in correction and evaluation of papers, workbooks, tests, etc.
• Set up and operate audio-visual equipment.
• Perform clerical tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to maintain cooperative and harmonious working relationships with students, staff, parents and community.
• Ability to speak clearly and effectively; follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to make decisions quickly regarding student safety.
• Ability to perform basic clerical tasks.
• Knowledge of positive behavior techniques.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student information.
• React with flexibility to students with learning/behavior and/or physical limitations.
• Possess and maintain a standard first aid/CPR certificate.
• Ability to understand and work effectively with children.
• Knowledge of pertinent academic areas and learning situations.
• Skill to understand and carry out both oral and written instructions in an independent manner.
• Ability to be firm but kind in carrying out disciplinary techniques established by the teacher.
• Knowledge of proper English usage and grammar.
• Demonstrate an ability to work independently with students without direct supervision.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the required duties.
• Ability to understand and work effectively with children with learning problems.
• Ability to take directions from others.
• Displays initiative.
• Experience and/or training in working with children who have learning disabilities or emotional and/or behavioral disorders.
• Demonstrates the ability to be firm but kind in carrying out disciplinary techniques established by the teacher.
• Possession of a certificate of completion for an AA degree or the equivalent or extensive experience.
• Possesses and maintains a valid California driver’s license.