Special Education Instructional Assistant : SE INC​/RES​/CM

Special Education Instructional Assistant

Reports to: Campus Principal/Special Education Executive Director

Salary: Instructional Support Pay Plan (48 college hours Pay Grade 2, Associate’s Degree Pay Grade 4, Bachelor’s Degree Pay Grade
5)

Dept/School: Assigned Campus

District Primary

Purpose:

To assist and promote La Joya ISD in implementing a rigorous curriculum/instructional program that supports student success and achievement.

Department Primary

Purpose:

The major role of the instructional assistant is to assist the teacher with classroom instruction so that learning is maximized for all students. The resource/inclusion/content mastery assistant’s purpose is to assist in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom; observing and documenting student progress and/or behavior; implementing plans for instruction;

and monitoring student behavior during non‑classroom time.

Education / Certification:

• High School Diploma or GED and 48 college hours or 2 years postsecondary education
• Para-Professional Certificate (Process to State Board of Educator Certification when hired.)

Experience / Knowledge:

• Some experience working with children.

Major

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Works cooperatively with teachers and other assistants as members of the teaching team.
• Assists students requiring daily care (e.g., toileting, diapering, feeding) for the purpose of providing appropriate care and developing children’s daily living activities and behavior skills.
• Provides direct instructional support to individuals and/or groups, monitoring ability to follow directions and behavior as outlined in the IEP.
• Implements recommended modifications and adaptations to the environment or materials as directed by the teacher, and assists staff in maintaining charts and other records related to students’ progress.
• Participates in daily planning sessions with teachers.
• Reinforces concepts and skills introduced by the teachers.
• Provides corrective feedback and/or positive reinforcement during guided practice activities.
• Works with small groups or individual students on specific identified needs.
• Helps with classroom management activities such as procedures, routines, and materials preparation and organization.
• Assists staff in managing student behavior by applying proactive strategies; implements district‑approved techniques for verbal de‑escalation and safe physical restraints, such as Crisis Prevention Intervention training.
• Implements behavioral plans for students with behavior disorders or other conditions as outlined in the IEP.
• Monitors students during assigned periods in various school environments to ensure safety and welfare of special education students.
• Performs other instructionally related activities as directed by the teacher.
• Maintains confidentiality of all student information and all aspects of the special education department.
• Performs other duties pertaining to special education as assigned by the Principal/Executive Director.
• Follows all Work from Home protocols when working remotely.

Working Conditions:

• Mental Demands: Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written in English and Spanish), interpret policy and procedures, maintain emotional control under stress.
• Physical Demands / Environmental Factors: Frequent standing, stooping, bending, pushing and pulling, regular heavy lifting of students; may involve rare exposure to bacteria, bodily fluids and communicable diseases.

Position Working Days: 187 Days