Special Education Asst. - Pathways

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

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

Experience:
One year experience working with children.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional Support:

• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher
• Support assigned students in all settings including general education classrooms.
• 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.
• Assist with administration and scoring of objective testing instruments or work assignments.

Student Management:

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• 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:

• Ride with the students on the buses as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct in all areas of work.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Punctuality in all areas.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Serve as a positive role model for all students.
• Reliability in all areas of work.
• All other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Equipment Used:

Wheelchair lift, ramp, personal computer, copier, and audiovisual equipment, assisted technology equipment or additional technology as needed by a student from his IEP.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; regular heavy lifting of students. Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.