Special Ed Classroom Assist; Special Education Instruction

CLASS

TITLE:

Special Education Classroom Assistant

Under the general direction of the school principal, and under the immediate supervision of a Special Education teacher holding a valid teaching certificate directly engaged in teaching subject matter or conducting activities, assists in the instruction of disabled students; and performs related duties as required.

• Assists special education teachers in elementary and high schools in reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities in accordance with each student’s Individual Education Program (IEP).
• Lifts and positions non-ambulatory students during the school day as instructed by the teacher and in adherence to written instruction from students’ personal physicians.
• Provides one-on-one tutoring services to present or reinforce learning concepts.
• Provides one-on-one personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning soiled children regardless of age.
• Assists students with orthopedic impairments by arranging and adjusting tools, work aids, and equipment such as specially equipped worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners.
• Assists teacher in instructing students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and economic self‑sufficiency.
• Accompanies students to swimming pools and medical clinics to assist in removing clothing and performing other personal services which students are unable to perform themselves.
• Assists in feeding students unable to do so themselves.
• Takes notes in classrooms for students unable to do so themselves.
• Corrects homework assignments and examination materials.
• Assists teachers in maintaining written records of students’ behavior.
• Accompanies students and teachers on class field trips.
• Attends and participates in workshops and in service training to update job‑related skills.

• May utilize aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students.
• May administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as directed by the teacher.
• May operate audio‑visual equipment.
• May operate photocopying equipment.

• Completion of an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university or at least sixty (60) semester hours of college credit at an accredited institution, including at least one course in the characteristics of mental retardation and severe/profound disabilities, or completion of a state‑approved paraprofessional assessment supplemented by at least one year of work experience involving the care and supervision of children with disabilities.
• Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities, English grammar and spelling, and basic mathematics.
• Ability to work with and for students with various disabilities aged birth to twenty‑one (21) years; ability to follow written and oral instructions; ability to complete and maintain basic written reports.
• Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly desirable. Candidates without CPR training at the time of initial employment will complete CPR training as a condition of employment.
• Good oral and written communication skills; skill in the operation of photocopying and audio‑visual equipment is highly desirable.

Medium work:
Exerting up to fifty (50) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to twenty (20) pounds of force frequently, and/or up to ten (10) pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands include the ability to reach, handle, and finger objects; talk and hear; occasional use of near visual acuity and frequent use of far visual acuity.