Special Education - Life Skills Paraprofessional

Under the direction of the classroom teacher, support and implement an appropriate instructional program to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities as identified through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Process.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
• Valid Texas Educational Aide Certificate
• Any applicant recommended for hire who has not obtained a minimum of 48 college hours will be required to pass a paraprofessional assessment exam (reading, writing, and mathematics)

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Positive work ethic, well organized, strong communication skills, basic technology skills, and flexibility to work with diverse students and staff
• Ability to provide positive behavior support to students in group or individual settings
• Ability to organize and coordinate work
• Effective communication with students, teachers, and parents
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation regarding performance and professional growth
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
• Adherence to high professional and ethical standards
• Conscientious, persistent, resourceful, productive, and active work skills
• Willingness to be trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention Strategies
• Knowledge of general office equipment

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the classroom teacher, assist with planning, development, and implementation of instructional, behavioral, and therapeutic activities
• Participate as a member of staff addressing the education process of students with disabilities
• Maintain a professional relationship with all school personnel involved in the educational process of students with disabilities
• Maintain a physical classroom environment conducive to learning
• Promptly complete and forward all records requested by administration
• Attend all required meetings
• Be consistent in program content and expectations of students and other classroom staff
• Keep appropriate student and classroom records
• Make effective use of instructional materials and demonstrate effective methods of instruction to address individual student performance levels, needs, and abilities
• Exercise behavior management and maintain control of students
• Participate and occasionally assist in the organization of meetings, committees, and special functions
• Provide personal care including diapering, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in the IEP
• Assist students with physical disabilities, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning students
• Maintain professionalism and a positive image during the workday and at all work-related activities
• Maintain confidentiality
• Abide by all district policies and procedures and demonstrate competencies specified in Special Education rules and regulations

Working Conditions

Mental Demands

• Reading, effective communication (verbal and written)
• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Coordinate district-wide curriculum functions
• Interpret policy, procedures, and data
• Follow behavior intervention plans and procedures

Physical Demands

• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, pulling, pushing, reaching
• Moving small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom or adaptive equipment
• Repetitive hand motions
• Prolonged use of computer terminal possible
• Occasional district-wide travel
• Frequent prolonged and irregular hours
• Possible biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases
• Specific vision abilities: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, ability to adjust focus
• Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Occasional heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds or over) and positioning of students with physical disabilities
• Controlling behavior through physical restraint
• Assisting non-ambulatory students and lifting/moving adaptive and other classroom equipment
• Exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather
• Exposure to noise

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills that may be required.