Special Education Aide – Thrive Functional Life Skills; FLS; Pool

Special Education Aide – Thrive Functional Life Skills (FLS) - Pool 2026-27 School Year

Starting Date: Aug 4, 2026

Reports to: Campus Principal and Assigned Teacher(s)

Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt

Dept./School: Assigned Campus

Pay Grade: 04

PC Assignment Code: 71042

Minimum Hourly Rate: $18.90

Insight: Support

Duty Days: 187 days per school year

Thrive Program Assignment: The Thrive Program is a specialized educational setting designed to meet the unique needs of K–12 students with significant behavioral challenges. This self-contained program is located on a dedicated campus within the Denton Independent School District and provides an intensive, structured environment where students develop the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral skills needed for success.

Primary

Purpose:

Provide instructional, behavioral, and personal care support to students with disabilities to promote access to learning and student well-being in educational settings. Assist teachers in implementing instructional activities, behavior supports, and individualized student needs in accordance with documented plans and campus procedures. Support a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment by assisting with classroom operations, student supervision, and daily routines under the direction of certified instructional staff.

Qualifications:

Education

(Must meet one of the following requirements)

• High school graduate or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, and the ability to pass a locally approved paraprofessional academic assessment; or
• Completion of 48 semester hours of college credit; or
• Associate degree or higher

Certification

• Current Texas Educational Aide certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification, or ability to obtain upon hire

Experience

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Experience working with children

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work well with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive student information
• Proficient organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional & Classroom Support

• Assist teachers in preparing instructional materials, learning resources, and classroom displays.
• Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe classroom environment.
• Assist with inventory, care, and routine maintenance of instructional equipment and materials.
• Support teachers with administrative recordkeeping and preparation of required documentation and reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Support & Care

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to individual needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, positioning, and mobility support.
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene.
• Work with individual students or small groups to support development of motor skills and complete instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.
• Learn and adapt to each student’s medical, physical, communicative, behavioral, and emotional needs in accordance with documented plans and staff guidance.

Student Supervision & Behavior Support

• Assist with supervision of students throughout the school day, including in classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, playgrounds, and during bus duty.
• Support behavior management by assisting with implementation of classroom and campus behavior expectations.
• Intervene in crisis situations and assist with managing disruptive or unsafe student behavior, including the use of approved physical intervention techniques when required and trained.
• Communicate observations regarding student…