Special Education Assistant - ASD

Position Summary

The Special Education Paraprofessional will assist and carry out the goals, objectives, and adaptations in the individual education plan of special needs students in various settings.

Essential Functions

• Carrying out the duties and responsibilities outlined in a student's individual education plan.
• Aid students in individual and group settings, whether in the resource room or inclusive educational setting.
• Provide specialized instruction, interventions, and accommodations as outlined in the IEP.
• Team with the classroom teacher and/or special education teacher to deliver classroom instruction.
• Demonstrate and model appropriate developmental and behavioral skills through play or interaction with the child.
• Assist students in self-help and independent living skills, including dressing, toileting, eating, using assistive devices, and participating in Developmentally Adaptive Physical Education activities.
• Supervise and assist with lunch, time-out situations, recess, field trips, and emergency situations or in temporary absence of the teacher.
• Participate physically with the students in activities being taught.
• Collaborate with Special Education Teachers, Classroom teachers, and related service providers to ensure student safety and success.
• Maintain confidentiality and develop effective working relationships with students.
• Support building and classroom discipline policy and maintain good communication skills and a cooperative working environment with other school staff.
• Participate in assigned professional development.
• Maintain knowledge of building procedures manual and school district policies.
• Work cooperatively with the building administrator, accepting constructive feedback and direction.
• Address disagreements with fellow employees constructively and respectfully.
• Monitor student progress on assigned tasks.
• Follow school district policy in reporting suspected abuse/neglect.
• Perform other special education related duties as assigned by the proper administrative authority.

Qualifications

• Meet highly-qualified requirements for paraprofessional (two-year associate degree, 60 college credits, para-pro or para e-link certification).
• Experience working with students with physical, cognitive, and/or mild behavioral needs.
• Handle with Care Training - certification required within three months of being hired and maintained during employment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to be a member of a team.
• Ability to be flexible based on program and student needs.
• Ability to assist students in individual or group settings, whether in the resource room or inclusive education setting, as well as in the community as a job coach.
• Ability to implement and follow through on specific therapies and programs for an individual as prescribed by the individual education plan.
• Ability to collect data on student progress as defined in the Individual Education Plan.
• Ability to remain calm and patient in volatile situations and react and respond quickly in a variety of situations.
• Ability to work under the supervision of a site principal and/or special education teacher.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once while dealing with constant interruptions.
• Ability to work with students, families, professionals, and staff of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to interact with and maintain cooperative relationships with all levels of staff and the public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.