Special Education Foundations Instructional Assistant

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Special Education Classroom Instructional Assistant in a Foundations setting provides assistance and motivation to students with significant cognitive disabilities. Works closely with students with disabilities/special needs throughout the school day to help the students learn and succeed in all classroom settings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Work effectively with children having disabilities and special needs within integrated and special education classrooms and in varied settings.

Communicate and work effectively with special education and classroom teachers, co-workers.

Practice professional, legal, and ethical conduct toward students, parents, and co-workers.

Motivate and assist student(s) to build self-esteem and independence, develop interpersonal and social skills, think independently, learn actively, and self-advocate.

Use assistive technology, computers, and adaptive equipment providing special care or physical assistance required for the student to function in school and learn effectively.

Use developmentally appropriate instructional interventions for curricular activities in the areas of cognitive, motor, self-help, social interaction, and language development for students.

Gather and maintain accurate data regarding the student, including academic, behavioral, and/or health information, as needed, and providing feedback to the teacher to improve instruction for the student.

Understand and appreciate diversity in children's skill and abilities, cultural heritage, lifestyles, values systems, and human rights.

Maintain confidentiality with student information and student records.

Implement strategies as outlined in a student's Behavior Intervention Plan.

Implement supports and services as outlined in a student's Individual Health Plan. This may include toileting, assisting with meals, and other self-care activities.

Utilize de-escalation strategies and appropriate restraint and seclusion strategies as trained in Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, education and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Minimum education include a high school graduate and previous experience working with children. A para educator certification is preferred.

For preschool classrooms, preference would be the individual have one of the following three criteria met: a para educator certification with an early childhood endorsement, CDA or a two year degree or higher or ability to obtain one of the criteria within one year of selection.

Foundations paraprofessionals will be required to participate in Crisis Prevention Institute training as soon as possible after hire.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Must possess the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and groups from all levels of the organization. Individual must have effective listening skills.

ANALYTICAL and REASONING SKILLS

Ability to gather, collate, and/or classify data. Ability to work with a variety of data. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

May be required to lift up to 50 pounds frequently. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may work inside or outside. The environment is usually fast paced with a great deal of movement throughout the day. Individuals must be able to engage in physical activity for safety purposes as trained in CPI.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Must be able to use the computer, process electronic requests. Must be able to learn different communication devices from pictures/symbols to individual student augmentative communication devices. Able to retrieve and print information from various computer programs when needed.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Will perform other duties as may be assigned by the superintendent or designee, necessary and appropriate to achievement of the…