Paraeducator, Special Education, Applicant Pool

About the Employer

The mission of the Tustin Unified School District, a learning community rich in heritage and committed to a tradition of excellence, is to ensure that each student optimizes individual achievement through an educational system characterized by challenging and exciting curricula and inspiring personalized instruction, in partnership with our dynamic and involved communities.

Job Description / Essential Elements:

DEFINITION:
The Paraeducator, Special Education, under the direction of an assigned supervisor, provides
instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated mild,
mild/moderate, moderate, moderate/severe or Early Childhood special education instructional
program; performs a variety of support activities related to behavior management and classroom
instruction of special education students; performs a variety of clerical support duties related to
classroom activities.
CLASSROOM AIDES:
Mild/Moderate (M/M): Assist the teacher with instruction in a special education
class. Students in M/M programs work primarily on academics. Additional
responsibilities could include assisting the teacher with student behavior and/or health
and personal care.
Moderate/Severe (M/S): Assist the teacher with instruction in a special education
class. Students in M/S programs work primarily on daily living skills and a modified
curriculum. Additional responsibilities could include assisting the teacher with student
behavior and/or health and personal care.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE AIDES:
Special circumstance aides assist teachers of special education students in special education
classes, regular education classes, or a combination of both. Responsibilities include assisting
the teacher with student behavior, health and personal care and/or instruction in any of their
educational settings.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
• Provides instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a
designated mild, mild/moderate, moderate, moderate/severe or Early Childhood
special education instructional program; communicates with teachers regarding the
individual needs of special education students.
• Provides instructional assistance to individual or groups of special education students
in a special class or when they are mainstreamed into regular classrooms or out in the
community; assists special and general education students when they are
mainstreamed during classroom activities and various other activities as directed;
assists students with meeting the goals and objectives of their Individual Education
Plan.
• Reinforces instruction to students with learning disabilities and language,
communication and behavioral problems; confers with teachers concerning programs
and materials to meet the individual needs of special education students.
• Performs a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and duplicating
instructional materials. Scoring papers and recording grades; assists in keeping
attendance; prepares and maintains student records and files as necessary.
• Assists assigned teacher with the implementation of lesson plans; assists in
administering, proctoring, scoring tests and papers and charting student progress;
modifies materials and explains instructions and words.
• Observes and controls behavior of students according to approved procedures; reports
progress regarding student performance and behavior.
• Provides support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits,
operating office and classroom equipment and distributing and collecting paper,
supplies and materials.
• Directs group activities of students as needed; assists in monitoring recesses,
assemblies and playground activities; accompanies students on field trips.
• Assists student with developing self-help, toileting, personal hygiene, social and
communication skills.
• Maintains an orderly, attractive and positive learning environment; assures the health
and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures;
administers basic first aide and dispenses medications as necessary.
• Operates a variety of classroom and office equipment including a typewriter, VCR,
copier, fax machines, computer and laminator.
• Performs related tasks as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
• Concepts and principles of child development and behavioral characteristics.
• Problems and concerns of students with special needs.
• Behavior management strategies and techniques utilized with students exhibiting
atypical social behaviors.
• Basic subjects taught in District schools including arithmetic, reading, writing,
grammar and spelling.
• Safe practices in classroom activities.
• Basic instructional methods and techniques.
• Appropriate English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Interpretive skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Maintaining confidentiality of student records.
• Basic record-keeping techniques.
• Operation of a variety of office and classroom equipment.
• Health regulations and safe working methods and procedures.
• Proper lifting techniques.
• District policies, rules and regulations.
Ability to:
• Assist a certificated teacher with instruction and related activities in a classroom or
assigned learning environment.
• Perform clerical duties related to classroom activities.
• Monitor, observe an report student behavior and progress according to approved
policies and procedures.
• Reinforce instruction to individual or small groups of students as directed by the
teacher.
• Understand and relate to children with special needs.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Observe health and safety regulations
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Education/Training/Required Certification:
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Some experience working with children in an organized setting.
• Specialized training or coursework in childcare, child behavior, psychology, or
teaching and related fields desirable.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Bilingual desirable.
• Some college or AA degree desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger,
handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and talk and/or hear. The employee frequently is
required to walk or sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and
arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee may occasionally lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Work conditions may include
exposure to fumes, dust, odors, cleaning agents and chemicals. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to
adjust focus.

Requirements / Qualifications