Paraeducator - Severely Handicapped -Turner Academy

About the Role

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, and assist students in developing various self-help, social, and community skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with groups and individual students in areas such as sensory stimulation, language development, number concepts, visual perception, basic reading and math, art projects, and music.
• Assist students in gross motor activities such as climbing, balancing, walking, rolling, crawling, and other activities.
• Confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs; utilize appropriate methods of instruction to achieve goals and objectives set forth in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Instruct students in self-help skills such as brushing teeth, washing hands, dressing, holding glasses, using eating utensils, and various social skills.
• Assist students on and off the bus; push wheelchairs and lift students as needed.
• Observe and control behavior and interaction of students according to approved procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior.
• Operate various exercise, therapeutic, instructional, and office equipment.
• Prepare instructional materials for individual students as directed by the teacher; maintain daily records of achievement.
• Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio-visual equipment, and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.
• Assist students in toilet training, managing buttons, snaps, and zippers; clean children lacking control, changing diapers and clothing as necessary.
• Prepare students for and assist in mainstreamed classes according to established procedures.
• Position and reposition students frequently, including placing them in therapeutic equipment.
• Move students to and from buses, teaching independent mobility and assisting with walkers, pushing wheelchairs, pulling wagons, or carrying students unable to walk.
• Ensure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; assist in maintaining a clean and orderly classroom environment.
• Oversee student activities; lead and monitor playground activities and movement education as assigned.
• Direct group activities of students as assigned.
• Participate in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge and Abilities

• 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 communication skills.
• Interpersonal relations skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Classroom procedures and conduct.
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.

• Assist certificated staff with instruction and related activities of the assigned learning environment.
• Assist 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).

Environment

Working Conditions

Specialized classroom environment for severely learning-challenged students.

Physical Demands

• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling 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.

Hazards

• Exposure to anti-social behavior.
• Exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases.