Title: Special Education Aide

Department: Education

Building/Facility: East Middle School

Reports to: Teacher Supervisor and/or Principal

Employment Status: Temporary based on annual contract. Specified timesheet employee with retirement benefits, sick time and personal leave.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Description: The Special Education Aide will assist teachers in carrying out lesson plans by helping students with academic studies, behavior, and organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of students, taking all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
• Teach social and self-care skills to students.
• Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Provide extra assistance to students with special needs.
• Assist in bus loading and unloading.
• Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Type, file, and duplicate materials.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
• Assist teacher in implementing and learning student behavior management plans.
• Report student needs and/or progress to educational specialist.
• Maintain respect at all times for confidential information, e.g., student records; free/reduced lunch forms; student test forms.
• Interact in a positive manner with staff, students, and parents.
• Promote good public relations by personal appearance, attitude, and conversation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the teacher, supervisor and/or principal.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Knowledge of equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective operations for the protection of students, staff and district property.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance including individual differences in ability, personality, and interests.

Skills

• Skilled in active listening, giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Skilled in managing student’s behavior; redirecting inappropriate behavior and rewarding appropriate behavior.
• Skilled in critical thinking and decision making by considering potential actions and choosing the most appropriate one.

Abilities

• Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to participate in professional development as needed.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Appropriate certification/license from Ohio Department of Education
• Must hold Educational Aide Permit with ESEA qualified endorsement

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Regularly required to speak and hear.
• Required to have dexterity of hands and fingers.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Required to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to bend at the waist, kneel or crouch.
• Occasionally asked to push, pull, lift or carry under 25 pounds.
• Occasional interaction among unruly children.
• The physical demands described here are a representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Terms of Employment

This job description summary does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. This job description is subject to change in response to funding variables, emerging technologies, improved operation procedures, productivity factors, and unforeseen events.

The Teays Valley Local School District is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.