Special Education Assistant-PALS OH

Job Grade 108, Pals Classroom

Under general supervision, to assist a variety of instructional assessment and activities; to assist in the conduct of learning activities with children experiencing special learning needs; to perform a variety of routine clerical and supportive activities for instructional personnel; and to do other related work as required.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Other duties may be assigned.

• Assist instructional personnel with the presentation of learning materials and in the conduct of instructional exercises in the Basic Life Skills classroom.
• Tutor individual students and small groups of students with special learning needs under the direction of a teacher.
• Monitor and assist students with special learning needs in drill, practice, and study activities.
• Direct students into safe learning and play activities and functions, and assist in shaping of appropriate social behaviors.
• Assist in the management of acting-out student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and other appropriate techniques.
• Assist in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aids geared to the instructional level of children with special needs.
• Maintain a variety of records and files.
• Operate and assist students in the operation of a variety of instructional aids and media, and computer assisted instruction equipment and software programs.
• May administer medication in accordance with specific medical instruction.
• Perform routine first aid which may include aiding children experiencing seizures or respiratory disorders.
• May perform hygiene related tasks on students including diapering.
• Observe and monitor children with physical handicapping conditions and request appropriate assistance for students experiencing physical distress.
• Maintain or assist in maintaining an orderly, attractive, and positive learning environment.
• May participate in parent conferences, and student instruction and training planning processes.

Supervisory responsibilities:

Students

Qualification requirements:

• Knowledge of basic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics, particularly pertaining to students with special learning needs;
• Behavior management strategies and techniques relating to students experiencing atypical control problems;
• Appropriate English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar;
• Basic arithmetical concepts;
• Routine record storage, retrieval, and management procedures.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward students of varied age groups, particularly those exhibiting specialized needs;
• Appropriately manage student behavior and guide student toward more acceptable social behaviors;
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form;
• Perform routine clerical tasks and operate a variety of educational and office related machines and equipment;
• Learn to utilize a variety of appropriate instructional and assessment materials and procedures in the enhancement of a training and educational environment;
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with children and adults.

Education and/or experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• (1) Associate's or higher degree, or (2) Completion at least 48 semester or 72 quarter hours of college coursework; or (3) Meet a rigorous standard of quality, and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, as appropriate, reading/language arts, writing and mathematics or reading readiness, writing readiness and mathematics readiness.
  
  (Assistants hired prior to 1/8/02 have until 1/1/06 to meet this requirement.)

Language skills:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students.

Mathematical skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Other skills and abilities:

Ability to work with severely handicapped. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Physical requirements:

The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.

• Persons performing service in this position classification may exert 30 pounds of…