2026-27 SPED Aide

Magnolia Public Schools (MPS); Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Magnolia Public Schools (MPS) in Santa Ana, CA seeks a dedicated Special Education Aide to assist a certified teacher in delivering instructional and personal care support for students with disabilities. The role involves implementing educational programs, behavior management, self-help skills, and crisis interventions where authorized.

Responsibilities include preparing materials, maintaining order, assisting with records, aiding substitutes, supervising during lunch/bus/playground, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two years of college (48+ units), an associate degree, or passing a local assessment (e.g., CODESP, CBEST) are acceptable alternatives.

Responsibilities

• Prepare educational materials and displays for the classroom with the teacher's assistance.
• Assist in keeping the classroom neat and orderly.
• Support the teacher with administrative records and reports.
• Help substitute teachers with classroom layout and management.
• Assist with inventory, care and maintenance of equipment.
• Help physically disabled students with transfers and positioning as needed.
• Assist with personal care tasks including feeding, bathroom needs, and hygiene.
• Contribute to behavior management and crisis response when trained.
• Support individual students or small groups and coordinate educational activities.
• Supervise students during lunch, bus, and playground times.
• Offer input to teachers on special needs or problems of students.

Skills

Patient care

Crisis training

Classroom support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The primary role and purpose of a Special Education Aide is to provide assistance to the Special Education teacher for the physical and instructional needs of the charter students with disabilities in the special education program. The Special Education Aide will help implement educational programs, including selfhelp, behavior management and instructional programs for students. The Special Education Aide will work under direct supervision of a certified teacher and indirect supervision of the Principal. Special education aides who are authorized to handle crisis situations and physically restrain students will complete specialized training in behavioral interventions.

Job Duties

Instructional Support

• Prepare educational materials and displays for the classroom with the assistance of the classroom teacher
• Assist in keeping class neat and orderly
• Assist teacher in handling administrative records and reports
• Help substitute teachers with classroom layout, or other pertinent classroom management
• Assist with inventory, care and maintenance of equipment

Student Management

• Help physically disabled students according to their needs, including but not limited to transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning
• Help students with physical needs and personal care, including but not limited to feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
• Assist in student behavior management; this includes handling crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed
• Take responsibility for learning and conforming to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative and emotional needs
• Coordinate educational activities assigned by the teacher; help individual students or small groups
• Assist in overseeing students throughout school day, inside and outside classroom; this includes lunchroom, bus and playground duty
• Advise teacher on special needs or problems of individual students

Other

• Ensure confidentiality
• Enhance job skills by participating in staff development programs
• Be active in faculty meetings and special events as assigned
• Other job related duties and schedules assigned by supervisor

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, bend, and sit for long periods of time. The employee must also be able to listen and hear students, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and be appropriately mobile, including by escorting students across campus as needed. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities, and qualification for this job. Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills and perform other related work as required or assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two years of college (48+ units), an associate degree, or passing a local assessment (e.g., CODESP, CBEST).