Paraeducator - Severely Handicapped - Wagner-Holt Elementary 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.

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 like 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.
• 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, operating educational training 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 students 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.
• Assure 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 of special needs, problems, and requirements of severely handicapped students.
• Understanding of child guidance principles and practices.
• Familiarity with basic subjects taught in District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language, and reading.
• Knowledge of safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
• Proficiency in correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal relations skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Understanding of classroom procedures and conduct.
• Ability to operate a computer and assigned software.
• Ability to assist certificated staff with instruction and related activities.
• Ability to assist students in developing self-help and social skills.
• Ability to print and write legibly.
• Ability to make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to learn the procedures, functions, and limitations of assigned duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively with physically and developmentally handicapped children.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to restrain and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures.
• Ability to operate various instructional and office equipment.

Qualifications

• Any combination equivalent to a high school diploma or equivalent and increasingly responsible experience in working with school-age children in an organized setting.
• Satisfactory completion of the California High School Proficiency Examination (Basic Skills Assessment Test).

Environment

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