PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in special education setting.  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:

High School diploma or GED

Valid Texas educational aide certificate

48 college hours from accredited college or university

    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

Demonstrated interest in and aptitude for the work to be performed

    Experience:

Some experience working with children

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Instructional Support

1. Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
2. Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
3. Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
4. Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
5. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

6. Prepare for classroom activities under the direction of the Special Education teacher.
7. Work with small groups of students with disabilities to reinforce materials initially introduced by the teacher and assist students who need special attention.
8. Guide independent study, enrichment work and remedial work planned by the teacher for students with disabilities.
9. Arrange audiovisual equipment and assist with classroom experiments, demonstrations, etc.
10. Check notebooks, correct papers and supervise testing and make-up work.
11. Assist in remedial drill work, reading and storytelling.
12. Assist small groups of students with disabilities in the learning resources centers.
13. Keep records of student performance and progress in reading, language development, math or other skills and assist in program evaluation.
14. Prepare visual aids and bulletin board displays for the teacher.
15. Locate reference or teaching materials.
16. Organize, prepare and distribute school and classroom supplies.
17. Participate in inservice training program.

Student Management

1. Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
2. Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
3. Help manage behavior of students.  This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
4. Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
5. Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
6. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom.  This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
7. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.

Other

1. Maintain confidentiality.
2. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
3. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.
4. Perform all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or others.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

          None.

EQUIPMENT USED:

          Wheelchair lift, ramp, personal computer, copier, typewriter, and audiovisual equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands:

Maintain emotional control under stress.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; regular heavy lifting of students.  Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.