Special Education General Aide

Primary Purpose:

Assist the teacher in providing for the instructional needs of students with disabilities in educational settings. Assist in implementing classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs; work under the general supervision of the principal and the immediate direction of a certified teacher.

Qualifications:

Education

(Must meet one of the following requirements)

• High school graduate or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, and the ability to pass a locally approved paraprofessional academic assessment; or
• Completion of 48 semester hours of college credit; or
• Associate degree or higher

Certification

• Current Texas Educational Aide certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification, or ability to obtain upon hire

Experience

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Experience working with children

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work well with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive student information
• Proficient organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional & Classroom Support

• Assist teachers in preparing instructional materials, learning resources, and classroom displays
• Assist with administration and scoring of objective testing instruments or work assignments
• Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe classroom environment
• Assist with inventory, care, and routine maintenance of instructional equipment and materials.
• Support teachers with administrative recordkeeping and preparation of required documentation and reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Support & Care

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to individual needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, positioning, and mobility support.
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene.
• Work with individual students or small groups to support development of motor skills and complete instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.
• Learn and adapt to each student’s medical, physical, communicative, behavioral, and emotional needs in accordance with documented plans and staff guidance.

Student Supervision & Behavior Support

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning
• Assist students with instructional and physical needs
• Help manage behavior of students, including 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 instruction assigned by teacher
• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom, including lunchroom, bus, and playground duty
• Keep the teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students

Additional Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all district policies, procedures, and expectations as outlined in the employee handbook and administrative regulations.
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Participate in professional development, faculty/department meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the district and campus.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools and Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students, including wheelchair lift and ramp

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 nonambulatory 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); may require occasional district-wide travel

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.