Aide - Special Education

Primary Purpose :

Help meet physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities inside and outside classroom. Assist with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP), 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 hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate

Have met formal academic assessment, associate's degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning

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

Experience :

Two years experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties :

Student Management

• Help meet the individual needs of student(s) including transferring to and from wheelchairs; lifting and positioning; interpreting instructions; and assisting with physical needs and personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage the behavior of assigned student(s). This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student as needed.
• Recognize differences in student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction according.
• Work with assigned student(s) or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
• Assist assigned students throughout school day, inside and outside classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of assigned student(s).

Other

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