Special Education Paraprofessional

Primary Purpose: 

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. If working in special education, help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in special education setting.

 Education / Certification:

1. High School Diploma or GED.
2. Valid Texas Educational Aide Certificate.
3. Completion of at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (48 semester hours of college coursework); or have obtained, at minimum, an associate’s degree; or met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment knowledge or, and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and math or knowledge or, and the ability to assist in instructing reading and writing readiness, and math readiness, as appropriate.

 Special Knowledge / Skills:

1. Ability to work with children with disabilities.
2. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
3. Ability to communicate effectively.
4. Knowledge of general office equipment.

 Experience / Other Requirements:

1. Some experience working with children.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
2. Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
3. Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
4. Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
5. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
6. Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheel chairs, lifting, or positioning, as necessary.
7. Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
8. Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
9. Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
10. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
11. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
12. Maintain confidentiality.
13. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
14. Responsible for properly maintaining district records, adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance ad learning the records retention schedule for department records.
15. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Equipment Used:

 Wheelchair lift, ramp, personal computer, copier, and audiovisual equipment as necessary.