Educational Aide - Elementary School / SpEd III SEBSS/SLC

Wage/Hour Status: Non-exempt | Reports to: Principal and assigned teacher(s) | Pay Grade: IS 1 & 2 | Contract Length: 10 or 12 months

Primary Purpose

Help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a 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

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Texas Education Agency Paraprofessional Educational Aide Certificate
• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Knowledge of general office equipment
• Some experience working with children

Responsibilities

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 student's 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.
• Help 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 Duties

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.

General Employee Requirements

• Support and align work with the mission, vision, and beliefs of the district.
• Follow and support board policies in areas of related responsibility.
• Ensure district resources are managed effectively to maximize resources for student learning.
• Share in the development and implementation of district success plans.
• Actively participate in ongoing development to improve work quality and district contribution.
• Model integrity, work eth, and professionalism as a suitable example for students.

Equipment Used

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

Working Conditions

Mental & Physical Demands

• Ability to work in variable environmental conditions related to temperature, humidity, and other atmospheric factors.
• Physical ability to lift (10 lbs. or more), talk, bend, kneel, pull, reach, grasp, push, stoop, walk, stand, sit, climb, occasional running, and move with agility.
• Ability to assist students with toileting, personal hygiene, feeding, mobility, positioning, and seizure activity.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to cope with biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.