Elementary Special Education Aide

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

Qualifications Education

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Knowledge of general office equipment
• Knowledge of braille (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Prepare materials
• Provide verbal descriptions to the student of visual presentations
• Support and reinforce instruction
• Help the student practice skills
• Guide the student as he/she completes her math assignment using braille
• Monitor their safety
• Assist with self-care tasks
• Support social interactions

Experience

• Some experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties Instructional Support

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom
• Help with inventory care and maintenance of equipment
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers

Student Management

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting or positioning
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
• Help manage behavior of students, including intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each students special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher
• Supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom, including lunchroom, bus, and playground duty
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students

Other Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned
• Perform the duties that are appropriate for a person funded under the federal program

Supervisory Responsibilities None

Equipment Used

• Wheelchair lift
• Ramp
• Personal computer
• Copier
• Typewriter
• Audiovisual equipment

Working Conditions

• Mental Demands
• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Physical Demands
• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling
• Regular heavy lifting of students
• Environmental Factors
• Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases