Elementary School Educational Assistant -Lifeskills

Elementary Educational Assistant - Special Education

Supervisor: Teacher/Principal

Contract Days: 181

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED. Additional education and/or training desirable.
• Possess or qualify for a New Mexico Level III Educational Assistant License.

Salary:

Grant funded position, dependent on grant funding.

General Job Description:

Assists a teacher in providing instructional and behavioral support to cognitively and behaviorally challenged students in Special Education programs; monitors and redirects student progress regarding inappropriate behaviors and performance; supports acquisition of appropriate skills and behaviors; assists in meeting special needs which may include feeding and toileting students; performs a variety of responsible and specialized tasks in the physical care and classroom instruction of students with disabilities; assists students with disabilities in meeting the physical requirements of attending school; performs a variety of clerical duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supports instruction to individuals or small groups of students with special needs as assigned.
• Assists students in prescribed learning activities.
• Monitors student conduct and utilizes approved behavior management techniques to redirect and modify inappropriate behaviors.
• Implements documented therapy plans for ancillary support.
• Monitors, observes and reports academic/behavioral data of students according to approved procedures.
• Assists students by providing appropriate modeling, emotional support, a friendly attitude, and general guidance.
• Communicates with teachers and assigned staff regarding student progress.
• Assists students upon arrival and departure at school and throughout the school day by repositioning in wheel chairs or other necessary equipment.
• Assists students with washing, eating, toileting, and other personal care needs.
• Assists students in learning proper personal hygiene and in developing self-sufficiency.
• Provides basic emergency care as needed, basic first-aid until medical assistance arrives.
• Performs specialized physical health care services such as suctioning, gastronomy tube feeding, catheterization, oxygen administration and care of related equipment.
• Maintains equipment, instructional materials and utensils.
• Communicates students'' needs to the teacher.
• Assist teacher in supervision of assigned students in physical and instructional activities.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work under supervision of certified teacher(s), prepare for classroom activities.
• Work with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
• Assist individual children in need of special attention, i.e., diaper changing, toileting.
• Guide independent study, enrichment and/or remedial work setup by the teacher(s).
• Assist small groups of students in all school settings as needed.
• Participate in in-service training programs.
• Contribute to the welfare and effectiveness of the classroom(s), the school, and the District by adhering to high standards of performance and interpersonal relationships.
• Model acceptable social skills in working with students, teachers, parents and supervisors.
• Report unsafe of dangerous surfaces and/or conditions in hallways, restrooms, playgrounds, entrances, and classrooms.
• Respond to the unique needs of the special education student.
• Complete duties (playground, hall, bus, etc.) as assigned.
• Other tasks as may be deemed appropriate and necessary by the immediate supervisor, the principal and/or the superintendent.

Knowledge Of:

• Personal needs and behavior characteristics of children with specific disabilities, such as those for students within the Autism spectrum.
• Instructional accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.
• Correct English usage, grammar, and spelling.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Classroom procedures and rules of conduct.
• Basic emergency, first aid, and health care techniques.

Physical Requirements:

Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required.

Safety and Health:

Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions.

Work Environment:

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignment.