DEFINITION: Under the direction of the site administrator and the classroom teacher, assist in providing instruction to individuals or small groups of students in a special education setting; assist the teacher in meeting the educational needs of students enrolled in either the Resource Specialist Program (RSP) or in a Special Day Class (SDC) program. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Assists a certificated teacher with the presentation of learning materials and instructional projects; • Assists the teacher in meeting IEP goals; • Prepares for and assists with various classroom learning projects and cleans up at the conclusion of the project; • Works with individual or small groups of Special Education RSP and/or SDC students; • Listens and reinforces instructions given by the teacher in reading, spelling, math, and other subjects; • Exercises constant supervision of the students; • Uses positive reinforcement; • Observes and controls the behavior of students according to approved procedures; • Assesses the need for appropriate discipline in accordance with grade level and individual student ability to understand discipline; • Talks often with the teacher about the progress of students regarding student performance and behavior; • Collects data for portfolios and other measurements of progress as deemed appropriate by the supervising teacher; • Prepares students for mainstreamed classrooms according to established procedures; • Assists students by providing proper examples, emotional support, and general guidance; • Participates in meetings and staff development programs as assigned; • Accompanies students in getting from one place to another; • Assists in helping students get on and off of buses as directed; • Assures the health and safety of students by following health and safety rules; • Performs a variety of clerical duties, such as preparing instructional materials, scoring papers, maintaining student records and files, and typing classroom materials; • Assists in maintaining a clean and orderly learning environment; and • Perform related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge and skills of: • Child guidance principles and practices as they relate to students with learning disabilities • Core subjects taught in district schools • Safe practices in classroom and playground activities • Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary • Basic record-keeping techniques • Classroom procedures and conduct Ability to: • Assist the teacher with the instructional and related activities of a special education learning environment • Present a positive image of Golden Valley Unified School District, • Assist the teacher in meeting the educational needs of students enrolled in the Special Education classroom • Print and write legibly • Understand and follow written or oral directions • Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward students with special needs • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others • Balance emotional support and discipline to deal with behavior problems Education and Experience: Graduation from high school; forty-eight units of college work or passing of exam for NCLB compliance; with a preference of one year of experience in working with school age children in an organized setting Licenses and Certificates: Valid California Class C Driver’s license. WORKING CONDITIONS: Environment: Classroom environment Physical Abilities: Hearing and speaking to exchange information, walking and stepping/up and down, lifting and carrying light objects, sitting and standing for periods of time. Hazards: Sometimes working with disruptive or out of control students REPORTS TO: Site Administrator FLSA: Non-Exempt BOARD APPROVAL: 3/11/2008 CLASSIFICATION: Classified WORK YEAR: School Days Only SALARY: Range 23 FUNDING: Special Education