Special Education Teaching Assistant - Middle School

Special Education Teaching Assistant - Middle School

The Special Education Aide assists teachers in meeting the needs of special education students. The primary focus is to assist and enhance the educational process of students with disabilities in both instructional and non-instructional activities.

Hours/Day: 6.5 (full-time)
Work days/year
: 178
School Year Hourly rate determined by CEA collective bargaining agreement.
Starting Hourly Rate
:
Grade LTA, $16.81 base hourly rate
$18.81 (if assigned to a high needs classroom)
$22.81 (if assigned to a high needs classroom and completion of a 40-hour training program for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) through Relias Academy). Training information can be found at

Medical Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield HM0 80/20 cost share
Dental Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield 80/20 cost share
Vision Insurance: VSP 100% employee cost

Position:
Special Education Aide (Middle School Level)
Reports to: Classroom Teacher/ Building Principal

Summary of Position: The Special Education Aide assists teachers in meeting the needs of special education students.

Licensure
The State of Illinois requires Special Education Teaching Assistants to have one of the following:

• Current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
• Current Illinois Substitute Teaching License
• Current Illinois Educator License with Stipulations Endorsed-Paraprofessional Educator
• Associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution; 60 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution;
  High school diploma, or equivalent + 480 or higher on the ETS Parapro test;
  High school diploma, or equivalent + 4 or higher on the ACT Work Keys Applied Math and Workplace Documents
• Current Illinois Short Term Approval (STA) - Paraprofessional
• Minimum Age - 19 years old, Application in ELIS ($50 application fee), Proof of High School Graduation - copy of diploma, copy of transcript showing graduation date, GED, etc
• For more information on how to apply to obtain the STA please reference the attached file.

Additional Job Qualifications

• Have the ability to work effectively with children

• Have the ability to work effectively with children.
• Have the ability to function within the framework of the school environment.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of:
• Child guidance principles and practices.
• Behavior management and positive reinforcement.
• Classroom procedures and appropriate conduct.
• Basic record keeping methods.
• Mechanical lifting/positioning devices.

Typical Duties
:

• Assist with providing a variety of activities for a balanced program of instruction, giving students opportunity to observe, question and investigate.
• Reinforce information following a lesson.
• Works with students individually or in small groups in academic studies, basic life skills and other assigned instruction.
• Implements behavior modification plans and procedures designed for individual students when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students.
• Maintain positive relationships with all students, school staff and parents.
• Observes and records student’s progress.
• Assists individual or groups of students during activities including lunch and getting children safely on and off bus.
• Assist with hygiene and toileting activities which might include transferring and lifting students. Sanitize classroom and equipment using approved materials.

Physical Ability
:
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee will experience occasional lifting and or moving up to 100 lbs, such as lifting a child from the floor. The employee must be able to push/pull items up to 100 lbs., such as children in wheelchairs.

Work Environment
Hazards
- Potential exposure to communicable disease and contact with blood and other body fluids; potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior.