Instructional Aide​/Special Needs

Instructional Aide / Special Needs

Job

Reports to: Teacher and Campus Principal & Director of Special Education

Length of work year: 187 days

The Special Education Paraprofessional works under the direct supervision of the assigned teacher and the campus principal. Direction is also given by the Director of Special Education. The paraprofessional provides the instructional program for special education students as outlined in each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). They work closely with students to offer physical help, academic assistance, and emotional support to progress toward goals.

• TEA certification or alternative qualifications:
  • Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education.
  • Obtained an associate's degree.
  • Met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate formal state or local academic assessment knowledge of, or the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics.
  • Knowledge of, or the ability to assist in instructing reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness as appropriate.
• High school graduate or GED.
• Ability to work with children with disabilities.
• Ability to manage time and organize work.
• Ability to communicate with parents.

• Knowledgeable of class make‑up and works directly with students as outlined in Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Assists the student(s) to whom assigned in physical tasks such as putting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, using the lavatory, changing diapers, bathing, etc.
• Confers and plans daily with Special Education Teacher(s) on assigned activities.
• Hears the student(s) in recitation, reading and other curriculum tasks, guiding and helping them.
• Performs simple errands and tasks for student(s) such as sharpening pencils, carrying lunch trays, etc.
• Under supervision of the Special Education Teacher, works with individuals or groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
• Accompanies the student(s) to the office, school nurse, or other locations as necessary.
• Establishes a supportive relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serves as a resource person to the assessment team regarding a student to whom assigned.
• Prepares bulletin boards, maintains an attractive room environment, performs clerical tasks, runs off stencils or makes copies, sorts and prepares handouts, forms, changes and washes linens, etc.
• Assists the special education teacher in maintaining a safe and orderly classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Assists in organizing learning centers, educational games, and other instructional materials.
• Completes pre/post‑testing or other assessment tasks under guidance of the teacher.
• Assists students with feeding and escorts them to and from breakfast and/or lunch, as needed.
• Receives and monitors students who arrive before school and assists and monitors students in the afternoon for returning home.
• Escorts students to the bus, rides and assists bus drivers, monitors behavior on the bus, alerts the driver to problems, delivers messages, and receives messages when necessary.
• Takes students to the restroom and assists with toileting needs as directed.
• Understands and implements district discipline management and IEP goals for discipline and behavior management.
• Supervises the classroom and students when the teacher is out of the classroom.
• Follows confidentiality guidelines.
• Administers, scores and records achievement and diagnostic tests as recommended for individual students.
• Operates and cares for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes and secures items when needed.
• Distributes and collects workbooks, papers, and other materials for instruction.
• Assists with supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, field trips, etc.
• Maintains classroom displays up to date.
• Assists with large group activities such as drill work, reading aloud, and storytelling.
• Reads to students, listens to students read, and participates in oral communication with students.
• Acts as a role model for communication…