Functional Academic Aide

Primary Purpose

Help meet physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities. 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/Certification:
  • High school diploma or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
  • Have met formal academic assessment, associate's degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning*
  • Valid Texas educational aide certificate
• Special Knowledge/Skills:
  • Ability to work with children with disabilities
  • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
  • Ability to communicate effectively
  • Knowledge of general office equipment
• 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; positioning; or assisting students with personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students
• Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed
• Recognize differences in each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly
• 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. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty

Other

• Maintain confidentiality
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures
• Alternative methods of performing duties

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

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 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting non-ambulatory 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

*Required by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for aides who are providing instructional support in Title I, Part A program.