Paraeducator - Severely Handicapped - Delta Sierra Middle School

Basic Function

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

Representative Duties

• Work with groups and individual students in a variety of areas such as sensory stimulation, language development, number concepts, visual perception, basic reading and math, art projects and music;
• Assist students in a variety of gross motor activities such as climbing, balancing, walking, rolling, crawling and other activities.
• E Confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs;
• E Instruct students in self-help skills such as brushing teeth, washing hands, dressing, holding glasses, use of eating utensils and various social 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; report progress regarding student performance and behavior.
• E Operate various exercise, therapeutic, instructional and office equipment.
• E Prepare instructional materials for individual students as directed by the teacher; 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 Assist students in toilet training, buttons, snaps and zippers; clean children lacking control, changing diapers and clothing as necessary.
• E Prepare students for and assist students in main-streamed classes according to established procedures.
• E Position and reposition students frequently, including placing them in therapeutic equipment.
• E Move students to and from buses, teaching independent mobility and assisting with walkers, pushing wheelchairs, pulling wagons or carrying students unable to walk.
• E Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; assist in maintaining a clean and orderly classroom environment.
• 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 Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge And Abilities

• KNOWLEDGE OF: Special needs, problems and requirements of severely handicapped 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.

Ability To

• Aid certificated staff with instruction and related activities of the assigned learning environment.
• Aid students in developing self help and social skills.
• Print and write legibly.
• Make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Learn the procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties.
• Communicate effectively with physically and developmentally handicapped children.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Restrain and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures.
• Operate a computer, and various instructional and office equipment.

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).