Special Education Aide

Primary Purpose:

Help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a special education setting. Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of the principal and immediate direction of a certified teacher.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

High school diploma or GED

Valid Texas educational aide certificate

Highly Qualified Aide Status Becoming an Educational Aide in Texas/

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Ability to work with children with disabilities

Ability to follow verbal and written instructions

Ability to communicate effectively

Demonstrates knowledge of reading, writing, and math

Knowledge of general office equipment

Experience:

Some experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional Support

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 maintain administrative records and prepare required reports.
5. Ensures specific materials and supplies are ready for classroom use.
6. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

1. Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transfers to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
2. Help manage the behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
3. Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
4. Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
5. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes during bus loading, on the playground, in the cafeteria and hallways, and when teacher is absent from classroom; disciplines students as necessary.
6. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.

Other

1. Maintain confidentiality.
2. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
3. Cleans classrooms or eating areas.
4. Provides first aid as necessary.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by teacher/principal.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Equipment Used:

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

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.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.