Special Education Aide- Life Skills

Educational Aide

Primary

Purpose:

Help meet physical, behavioral and instructional needs of students with behavior disorders and disabilities in the Positive Approach to Student Success (PASS) classroom. Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.

Qualifications:

• Education/Certification:
  
  Associate's degree, two years of study at an institution of higher learning, or have met formal academic assessment as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate
• Special Knowledge/
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to work with children with disabilities Ability to follow verbal and written instructions Ability to communicate effectively Knowledge of general office equipment Ability to remain calm and de-escalate behavior intervening in crisis situations
• Experience:
  
  Some experience working with children/adolescents

Major

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Instructional Support:
  Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays. Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom. Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment. Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers. Provide supervision in the classroom during teacher planning period and lunch
• Student Management:
  Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs including transferring to and from wheelchairs; lifting; positioning; or assisting students with personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene. Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed. Recognize differences in each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly.
  
  Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students
• Other:
  Maintain confidentiality. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Tools/Equipment Used:
  Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students
• Posture:
  Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion:
  Frequent walking and reaching
• Lifting:
  Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds);
  Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting non-ambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment
• Environment:
  Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases)
• Mental Demands:
  Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

Pay Range: $12.75-$15.50 per hour