Job Title:                              Instructional Assistant, SpEd CASL

Reports to:                           Principal & Teacher (Assigned)

Pay Grade:                           Paraprofessional - PG 3

Dept/Campus:                     Assigned Campus

Wage/Status:                      Non-Exempt

Days:                                    187

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.

Education/Certification

High school diploma or GED

Valid Texas Educational Aide Certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Knowledge of general office equipment

Essential Job Functions:

• 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 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.
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
• 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.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Accuracy – work is neat and correct and completes all work assigned.
• Personal Attributes – neat and clean in dress and appearance, works with others in a positive manner. Professional Behavior – maintains high level of ethical behavior, avoids gossiping, handles confidential information, avoids speaking ill of other personnel, and avoids doing personal business at work.
• Student Relations – shows respect to students, shows concern and encouragement for students has positive attitude when working with students.
• General Attributes – demonstrates ability to remain calm and withstand pressure.
• Public Relations – Interacts well with students, parents, teachers, peers, and the general public and promotes a positive image of self and school.
• Report to work in a timely manner according to assigned schedule.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or other administrator that are consistent with the general requirements and qualifications for the position.

Professional Conduct:

• Demonstrate the ability to remain calm and withstand pressures
• Demonstrate flexibility to change in routine and adapt quickly to changing situations
• Demonstrates respect, courteous to peers and visitors and assist fellow workers willingly

Supervisory Responsibilities:   

None

Equipment Used:

Wheelchair lift, ramps, personal computer, copier, typewriter, and audiovisual equipment

Working Conditions:

Physical Demands /Mental Demands/ Environmental Factors:

The working conditions described 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 and expectations.

Regularly sit, talk or hear; frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; frequent repetitive hand motions; prolonged use of computer; occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-50 pounds; occasionally required to stand, walk reach with hands and arms; vision abilities include close vision; and color vision, regularly work with frequent interruptions, maintain emotional control under stress; the noise level is usually moderate. The employee may spend long hours in intense concentration which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.  There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress.  The employee must also deal with a wide variety of people on various issues. Predictable and regular attendance expected.