Special Education Aide Specialized Support/Structured Communication(SSC)

About the Role

Help meet the physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities inside and outside the classroom. Assist with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP), including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under the general supervision of the principal and immediate direction of a certified teacher. Adhere to federal and state laws, as well as district policies, procedures, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom, including lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Assist the teacher with instructional material preparation, behavioral interventions, and physical needs of students.
• Participate in staff development training and implement learned strategies into the curriculum.
• Work with individual students, small groups, and whole class as assigned by the teacher.
• Assist students with severe developmental and communication delays, lack of social interaction, and behavioral concerns to implement modifications and master individual instructional goals.
• Reinforce skills and units of instruction taught by the teacher.
• Adhere to the guidelines established in the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) under the supervision of the assigned teacher, including documentation of services provided.
• Manage the behavior of assigned student(s), including intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive and dangerous students as needed.
• Assist with testing measurement instruments and technology integration into the curriculum.
• Incorporate social and emotional learning, behavioral strategies, and social skills development on a daily basis.
• Assist the teacher with filing, copying, inventory, and maintenance of equipment, and maintain responsibility for billing Student Health and Related Services (SHARS) as required.
• Assist students and teachers in the use of augmentative communication and/or adaptive/assistive devices as appropriate.
• Help meet the individual needs of students, including transferring to and from wheelchairs; lifting and positioning; interpreting instructions; and assisting with physical needs and personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, diaper changing, and personal hygiene.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitutes.
• Meet with teachers, administrators, and SPED support staff to evaluate and assist with student progress.
• Assist in the creation of and actively participate in a virtual classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Be available by phone, email, or video conferencing during regular school business hours to confer with district stakeholders as needed.
• Participate in professional development activities as required by the district.
• Follow established safety procedures to perform job duties; support district/department goals.
• Maintain a professional code of ethics and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED or higher; forty-eight (48) hours from an accredited college or university.
• Experience working with students and parents.
• Must possess or be eligible to obtain a paraprofessional certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
• Acquire certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Heimlich maneuver, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NCI) within the available district training calendar.
• Must be familiar with/able to use Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy (OT/PT) apparatus.
• Must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently for daily communication.

Mental & Physical Demands

• Must be able to assist in the lifting/carrying of students with disabilities in excess of 50 to 175 lbs, depending on age level, including pushing/pulling wheelchairs/walkers and assisting with personal hygiene.
• Must possess the ability, skill, patience, and understanding to work with students who have disabilities.
• Frequent bending, reaching, standing, kneeling, and squatting.
• Subject to the district's drug and alcohol screening policy and regulation.

Schedule

Paraprofessional Level 205. Length of assignment: 187 days.