Special Education Assistant - RISE - Cross Timbers MS (2026-2027 School Year)

Job Title: Special Education Assistant - RISE                   Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt

Department/School: Assigned Campus                         Pay Grade: IS204 

Reports to: Principal                                                     Date Revised: 

This position starts on August 3, 2026

Primary Purpose:

RISE: Reaching Independence Through Structured Education (formerly Life Skills)

The Reaching Independence through a Structured Education Environment (RISE) program is a self-contained educational program for students with significant developmental disabilities in grades K-12 that access the state standards through prerequisite skills. In addition to academic instruction in all core subjects, RISE programs also provide instruction in communication, daily living, and vocation.

The goal of the RISE program is to provide students with curricula through prerequisite skills that link to grade-level instruction. Overarching goals include maximizing independence, increasing functional communication, accessing social relationships, vocation skills, and other critical skills needed for postsecondary readiness.

The primary purpose is to assist (under professional supervision) in the monitoring and instruction of special education students with a variety of physical, emotional, behavioral, or instructional needs within typical or specialized classroom settings.  The employee assists in implementation of instructional, self-help, and behavior management strategies in order to facilitate student success in a variety of settings.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

High School diploma or equivalent

Previous experience in an educational environment preferred;

Pass an academic assessment administered by GCISD; OR

48 hours of study in higher education, Associates Degree or higher; 

An Educational Aide Certification; may be applied for once employed

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1.   Provide supervision and assistance for students with significant social, communication, mobility, cognitive and/or behavioral challenges.

1.   Help students take care of physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.

1.   Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.

Additional Responsibilities and Duties:

1.   Adapt classroom work/homework under the direction of the teacher for the purpose of providing a method to support and/or reinforce classroom curriculum and instruction.

1.   Assist teachers in implementing lesson plans and/or developing students’ daily living, behavioral, and educational skills.  Follows students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

1.   Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.

1.   Perform record keeping, data collection, and basic clerical functions for the purpose of supporting the teacher in providing services for students with disabilities.

1.   Monitor students with specialized needs in less structured environments such as playgrounds, lunch, hall, etc. as needed.

1.   Help maintain behavior of assigned students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and using appropriately trained and approved methods of de-escalation and/or physical restraint.

1.   Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.

1.   Assist campus in limited duty assignments related to special education students as directed by campus administrator.

1.   Adhere to flexible schedule as provided by campus administrator in conjunction with special education teacher.

1. Participate in meetings and training sessions as designed by District staff, and as necessary to carry out job responsibilities.

1. Reasonable and consistent attendance.

1. Maintain confidentiality.

Working Conditions

Equipment Used:

Wheelchair lift, ramps, student adapted equipment, personal computer, copier, and audio/visual equipment.

Mental/Physical/Environmental Demands:

Maintain emotional control under stress in a professional manner; Frequent standing stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; lifting of students; Assistance with student hygiene needs may be required.