Paraeducator - Behavior Specialist - Special Education

Basic Function

Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individual or small groups of severely emotionally disturbed students in a classroom environment; monitor and report student progress regarding behavior and performance; assist students in developing various self help, social and community skills.

Representative Duties

• Tutor individual or small groups of severely emotionally disturbed students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher;
• Monitor and oversee student drills, practices and related activities;
• E Confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs;
• E Provide instruction and assistance to severely emotionally disturbed students in social, self help and community skills;
• E Assist students on and off the bus; push wheelchairs and lift students as needed;
• E Observe and control behavior and interaction of students according to approved procedures;
• E Operate various exercise, therapeutic, instructional and office equipment;
• E Prepare instructional materials for individual students as directed by the teacher;
• E Maintain daily records of achievement;
• E Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio visual equipment, operating educational training equipment and distributing and collecting paper and supplies;
• E Prepare students for and assist students in main-streamed classes according to established procedures;
• E Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures;
• E Oversee student activities; lead and monitor playground activities and movement education as assigned;
• E Direct group activities of students as assigned;
• E Participate in meetings and in service training programs as assigned;
• E Assist with non-instructional duties such as snack, toilet and clothing routines.

Knowledge And Abilities

• Special needs, problems and requirements of severely emotionally disturbed students;
• Child guidance principles and practices;
• Basic subjects taught in District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading;
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities;
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary;
• Oral and written communications skills;
• Interpersonal relations skills using tact, patience and courtesy;
• Record keeping techniques;
• Classroom procedures and conduct;
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.

Education And Experience

Any combination equivalent to: high school diploma or equivalent and increasingly responsible experience in working with school age children in an organized setting.

Licenses And Other Requirements

• Satisfactory completion of the California High School Proficiency Examination (Basic Skills Assessment Test).
• MAB Training.

Environment

Specialized classroom environment for the severely emotionally disturbed. Physical Demands Lifting heavy equipment and students. Dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate specialized apparatus and to operate audio visual and educational training equipment. Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching. Standing and walking for extended periods of time. Restraint and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures. Exposure to extreme anti social behavior. Exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases.