Primary Purpose:

Assist classroom teacher to provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in special education setting. Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Certificate

High School diploma or GED (Recognized by the Texas Education Agency or Regional Accrediting Agency)

Valid Texas Educational Aide certificate

NCLB Certification Required

Crisis Prevention & Intervention certified (CPI), obtain within the first 90 days

Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.

Knowledge/Skills:

Ability to work with children with disabilities

Ability to follow verbal and written instructions

Ability to communicate effectively

Knowledge of general office equipment

Proficient skills in organization, typing, file maintenance, computers, and software programs, including word processing, spreadsheet, database and graphics

Experience:

• Experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Instructional Management

The aide promotes improvement of instruction through activities such as the following:

• Work with individual students or small student groups to conduct instructional activities and develop academic skills as outlined by the teacher.
• Assist the teacher in preparing instructional materials, paperwork, and classroom displays.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
• Assist teachers in implementing program objectives that support developmental, behavioral and academic student performance.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by the classroom teacher.

Classroom Management and Organization Improvement

The aide works to improve the classroom, school or organization through activities such as the following:

• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Help the teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Assist in managing student behavior, including crisis intervention, physical management of disruptive students and inappropriate behaviors, as needed.
• Assist with maintaining a safe, neat and orderly classroom.

Communication and Community Relations

The aide works to promote a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following:

• Be a positive role model for students, support the mission of the District.

• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.

Professional Growth and Development

The aide participates in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Attend any specified meetings or professional development.

Qualities of an Effective Aide

The aide exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Keep informed of and comply with state, District, and school regulations and policies for classroom teachers.
• Compile, maintain, and file reports, records, and other documents as required.
• Correct unsafe conditions in work area that could cause an accident and inform supervisor of any conditions that are not correctable immediately.
• Shall comply with District policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Shall comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, and standards.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Equipment:

Wheelchair lift, ramp, computer, computer software programs and peripherals, teacher resource materials and audiovisual equipment, adaptive equipment, oxygen gauges, laminating machine, printer, copier, fax and other equipment applicable to the position.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions.
• Work irregular hour and extended work hours to include holidays and weekends.
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing, lifting, and carrying (may lift and move textbooks and classroom equipment).
• May be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others.
• Occasional district wide and statewide travel.
• Use computer for prolonged period resulting in repetitive hand motion.
• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration.
• Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces.
• This program may require feeding, diapering, and caring of severely handicapped students.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.