Primary Purpose:

Assist the special education teacher in the implementation of all components of student’s Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Assisting includes developing and implementing plans for physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities. Assist in the implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instructional programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher(s).

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Temperament to work with students who have qualified for special education
• Willingness to follow verbal and written instructions
• Effective communication
• Knowledge of general office equipment and use of the computer

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional Support

• Maintain confidentiality of student’s testing, diagnosis status and personal problems.
• Exercise initiative in developing creative activities to supplement and reinforce learning, as suggested by teacher, therapists, or other staff providing services to students
• Be familiar with all materials kept in the classroom/therapy room(s) as well as those that are brought in at various intervals.
• Assist the teacher(s), therapist(s), or other special education staff in keeping materials stored in proper places when not in use.
• Assist the teacher(s), therapist(s), or other special education staff providing students support with virtual learning platforms (when necessary).
• Monitor students who are virtually learning in another class/therapy room while they are being provided services
• Provide support to students requiring virtual instruction such as online learning by walking them from their classroom to another room/therapy session (when necessary).
• Monitor online instruction/therapy (when necessary).
• Assist the teacher(s), therapist(s), or service provider(s), in keeping orderly records regarding student services and progress towards their goals.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
• Assist the teacher in meeting the buses when the students arrive at school and as they leave.
• Assist with classroom management emphasizing courtesy and good manners.

Other

• Share responsibility for decoration of the classroom (if, and when necessary).
• Assist in changing, feeding and positioning of students (if, and when necessary).
• Share responsibility for decoration of the classroom (if, and when necessary).
• May be subject to transfer, or reassignment as necessary (based on department needs).
• May be subject to split school/teacher assignment as needed.
• Ask for clarification of policies as necessary.
• Understand and use basic computer skills.
• Refer questions about the program or students in the program to the teacher, therapist, or assigned special education staff.
• Attend and meet required district hours of staff development.
• Adhere to dress code as outlined on the campus you are assigned.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the campus principal.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Not Applicable

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress; Repetitive hand motions may be necessary; prolonged use of computer.  Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.