Special Education Paraprofessional

Primary Purpose:
Help general education/Special Education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities. 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.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Associate's degree, two years of study at an institute of higher learning with a minimum of 48 semester hours, or have met formal academic assessment required by No Child Left Behind Act.
Valid Texas educational aide certificate
Special 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
Experience:
Some experience working with children
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Instructional Support

1. Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
2. Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
3. Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
4. Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
5. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

1. Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
2. Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
3. Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
4. Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
5. Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, morning/afternoon, and bus.
6. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
7. Work with assigned students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
8. Assist assigned students throughout school day, inside and outside classroom. This includes lunchroom, morning/afternoon, and bus.
9. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of assigned students.

Other

1. Maintain confidentiality.
2. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
3. Follow established safety procedures and techniques.
4. Report promptly to the principal any accident or illness of staff or students.
5. Other duties as assigned by administration.
6. Promote, participate, and facilitate in a teamwork center manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None.
Equipment Used:
Wheelchair lift, ramp, personal computer, copier, and audiovisual equipment.
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; regular heavy lifting of students. Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.