Anticipated SY 26-27 Special Ed Classroom Assistant

Overview

Special Education Classroom Assistant

Assists Special Education teachers in elementary and high schools, reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities, including physical, visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional and mental impairments in accordance with each student's Individual Education Program (IEP).

Duties include:

lifting and positioning non-ambulatory students, providing one-on-one tutoring and personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, assisting students with orthopedic impairments by arranging and adjusting tools and equipment, instructing students in daily living skills, accompanying students to swimming pools and medical clinics, assisting in feeding students, taking notes, correcting homework and examination materials, maintaining written records of student behavior, accompanying class field trips, and attending workshops and training to update job-related skills.

May utilize aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students, may administer CPR as directed by the teacher, may operate audio‑visual equipment and photocopying equipment.

Certification Requirements
:
Must possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education, obtained after completing at least 60 semester hours of college credit or a paraprofessional exam.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills
:
Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities, English grammar and spelling, basic mathematics. Ability to work with and for students ages birth to 21, follow written and oral instructions, complete and maintain basic written reports. CPR training is highly desirable; otherwise, CPR training must be completed upon initial employment.

Good oral and written communication skills. Skill operating photocopying and audio‑visual equipment is desirable.

Physical Requirements
:
Medium work: exerts up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, 10 pounds constantly. Must be able to reach, handle, and finger objects; talk and hear; use near/far visual acuity.