Special Education Aide; Co-teach​/Inclusion-- Secondary

Special Education Instructional Aide

Assist the special education teacher to provide for the physical, behavioral, and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a special education setting and also assist the special education teacher in the delivery of services while implementing the student's individual education plan.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduate or GED equivalent
• Must meet one of these requirements:
• Minimum of forty-eight (48) semester college
• Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Have met formal academic assessment as required by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) or No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• Eligible to obtain an Educational Aide certificate issued by the State Board of Educator Certification
• CPR, First Aid and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certified, to be completed within 90 days of hire
• Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Proficient in basic computer skills, computer literacy programs, Internet, and Microsoft Office applications
• Proficient in typing, keyboarding, word processing, and file maintenance skills
• Knowledge of office procedures and machines
• Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills with students, staff and community members
• Ability to remain calm in a stressful situation
• Ability to file books following district cataloging system
• Health and physical qualifications appropriate for the demands of the position

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Attend and document on-going in-service or other staff development activities related to students with disabilities
• Assist with the preparation of instructional materials for the classroom
• Accompany special education groups on field trips
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene. May be required to change diapers
• Assist with the supervision and monitoring of students throughout the school day outside of the classroom, including the cafeteria, playground, physical education classes, boarding and exiting the bus, on community-based activities and other assigned activities.
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning
• Assist in the training of students' self-help skills
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students
• Assist handicapped students in job training/employment and company-based instructional setting as appropriate
• Follow District Guidelines in maintaining classroom management, discipline and student information confidentiality
• Provide a safe learning environment for the educational program
• Help manage students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed
• Operate office equipment as well as adaptive/assistive devices for students
• Assist teachers and students in use of computers, printers, and instructional software
• Help with record keeping, health routines, lunchroom and playground activities
• Accompany classes on field trips
• Report immediately all accidents involving students and/or staff to appropriate officials
• Perform other duties as assigned, based on campus needs
• Must complete designated district technology proficiencies each year
• Requires a basic knowledge of technology/computer skills
• Ability to use a personal computer to access district programs, emails, and other resources
• Complete tasks in a timely manner
• Maintain a consistent professional demeanor and appearance
• Ensure compliance with the Texas Educator's Code of Ethics
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job
• Performs other duties as assigned by campus administration (i.e. including but not limited to bus duty, lunch duty, etc.)

Supervision and Equipment Used:

Supervision and evaluation of district personnel is not a requirement of the position; however, the supervision of students is required.

• Office equipment – personal computer, printer, calculator, multi-line telephone, software programs and peripherals, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to position

Mental Demands:

• Ability to read, concentrate, communicate (verbally and written), interpret, reason, understand verbal instructions, memorize, coordinate, compile, compute
• Work with frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control under stress

Physical Demands:

• Frequent:
  Sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs and/or ramps, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive hand motions, hearing, speaking clearly, visual acuity, distinguishing colors, driving, traveling
• Occasional:
  Lifting, heavy, 45 pounds or more

Environmental Factors:

• Frequent exposure to temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination, vibration
• Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects,…