POSITON TITLE: Special Education Instructional Aide/ Para-Professional Aide

SUMMARY OF POSITIONS:

Work cooperatively under the direction of the special education teacher and site administrator to support instructional activities of special education students. A majority of the assignment will be spent working directly with students in a capacity that meets learning and physical needs of students. A variety of paraprofessional tasks will be performed as well as other duties as requested.

DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO:

Direct supervision of Special Education Teacher. May receive technical or functional supervision from Site Administration.

DUTIES:

ü  Work directly with the teacher and students to provide the additional support and assistance necessary for special needs students to be successful in a school environment

ü  Assist in planning and carrying out the activities of the instructional program while maintaining effective communication to assure that appropriate institutional goals
are implemented and assessed on a regular basis

ü  Assist the teacher in the preparation of instructional materials and study aids to be used by students in classrooms or individual study situations

ü  Assist students in understanding and clarifying instructional assignments under teachers’ direction

ü  Work independently with individuals and/or small groups of students to reinforce instruction being provided in the regular classroom.

ü  Assist in administering and scoring of tests and examinations

ü  Interpret purposes and activities of the instructional program and District Mission to students, parents, and community members

ü  Work with regular instructional materials which have been modified to meet the learning level and style of the student

ü  Report any unusual student behavior, including suspected child abuse to the instructor

ü  Assist teacher in making parent contacts and scheduling parent visits, as needed

ü  Participates in IEP meetings, as needed

ü  Refer discipline problems to instructor and/or site administration

ü  Other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE OF:

ü  Correct English usage including vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

ü  Specific teaching strategies and techniques related to special education students

ü  General classroom procedures and rules of conduct

ü  Basic core curriculum (Math, English, Science, and Social Science)

ü  Effective communication in both oral and written form

ü  Basic computer knowledge, office equipment, and technology

ABILITY TO:

Supervise activities of students to maintain order and work harmoniously with staff. Support the school/program in planning and implementation of instructional program and related activities. Show care and concern for students in an educationally appropriate manner. Maintain appropriate confidentiality about the status of students and classroom activities. Understand, implement, and give oral and written directions in English. Participate in professional development activities, conferences or formal classes related to assignment. Be creative and self-sufficient when assisting students with difficult concepts. Establish and maintain supportive cooperative relations with all school personnel, parents, and students.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

All individuals must pass a pre-employment examination, TB clearance, and pass fingerprint screening. In addition, any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Training:

Minimum: Equivalent to high school graduation AND two years of college coursework

Desired: A.A. Degree

Experience:

At least one year experience working with students or children in a school or related capacity requiring instruction and supervision of children preferred.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions requires the following physical demands: Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling; some reaching with the use of hands. Generally the job requires sitting, walking, and standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations, a generally hazard free environment, and in a clean atmosphere.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

School classrooms, playground, multipurpose room, office, staff room