Purpose and Scope:
Performs specialized work by assisting general education teachers in supervising the activities of students with disabilities, or students being evaluated to determine if they have a disability to provide a well-organized, effective, and efficient classroom environment. This position is responsible for aiding educators in preparing instructional materials, classrooms and instructional activities. Further, the 504 Assistant helps supervise and assist children in the classroom and other areas of the school, reinforce classroom lessons, and provides other forms of assistance as requested. Also, the Section 504 assistant may be assigned to coordinate special projects and programs as required.
Essential Job Functions:
- Facilitates the provision of FAPE and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities by providing one-on-one assistance for students who are being evaluated to determine if they are eligible for Section 504 or IDEA services; to serve students with medical needs, operate assistive technologies, support the instructional process, develop behavior improvement strategies, implement RTI support for students with learning disabilities, provide support for students with emotional/behavioral disorders and supports students as they develop and build independence.
- Assists students with exercises and class activities with focus on small groups and individuals as necessary.
- Assists students during arrival and departure of buses, in the halls, on field trips, during testing, at lunch, computer lab, and on school grounds.
- Assists students with specialized needs; provides assistance with daily living routines, and skills including personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, and self-feeding. Assists with physical health programs including physical therapy and special/adaptive equipment.
- Assist teachers in maintaining a well-organized and efficient classroom environment that is beneficial to both teachers and students by preparing and organizing instructional activities and materials.
- Reinforces knowledge and skills taught by the classroom teacher.
- Assists teachers by maintaining student records, taking daily attendance, grading assignments, administering standardized tests, recording and/or analyzing test scores/grades, substituting, organizing special projects, escorting children to various areas of the school, monitoring student behavior, and running errands as needed.
- Helps teachers establish and implement behavioral objectives as needed. Models appropriate social and play skills, observes students' behavior and notifies teacher and/or school nurse of behavioral changes, and redirects behavior if necessary.
- Help coordinate and/or participate in special programs or projects as assigned.
- Receive and respond to inquiries from parents and others and assists with preparing notes and placing phone calls to parents.
- Performs routine clerical tasks including, but not limited to, preparing reports, copying and filing documents, entering and generating data, preparing notices and newsletters, and responding to parent concerns via e-mail.
- Assist with on-going training, monitoring, and support to schools in the Shelby County Schools Districts, and Charter Schools in Easy 504 (digital compliance system) utilization.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or directed by the supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Business or related field plus or a high school diploma and four years’ relevant experience.
Degree Equivalency Formula:
Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.
Master’s Degree= 2 years plus required years of experience. Where Master’s degrees are required, years for Bachelor’s Degrees must be included.