Aide - Instructional (Special Education - Functional Academics)

SUMMARY

Help meet physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities inside and outside classroom. Assist with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP), including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

Student Management

• Help meet the individual needs of student(s) including transferring to and from wheelchairs; lifting and positioning; interpreting instructions; and assisting with physical needs and personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage the behavior of assigned student(s). This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student as needed.
• Recognize differences in each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly.
• Work with assigned student(s) or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.
• Assist with assigned students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of assigned student(s).

Instructional Support

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Other

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in professional development programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Help with various duties as assigned on home campus.:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

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

Posture: Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking and reaching

Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 30 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)

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

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma or GED and "Highly Qualified" training certification; or at least 60 hours of college or an associate's degree.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

Ability to work well with children with disabilities

Ability to follow verbal and written instructions

Ability to communicate effectively

Knowledge of general office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, peripheral, and distance vision, as well as the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.