Aide – Special Education - ADAPT

Abilene ISD; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A school district in the United States is seeking a dedicated Special Education Aide to support the special education teacher in meeting the physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities. Responsibilities include assisting with personal care, managing student behavior, and maintaining a positive classroom environment. Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, and prior experience working with children is preferred. This role involves both academic and personal support tasks within an inclusive educational setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• State Paraprofessional Certification recommended.
• Previous experience working with children preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist special education teacher with instructional materials.
• Support students with personal care and physical needs.
• Help manage student behavior and safety.

Skills

Ability to work well with children

Ability to communicate effectively

Education

High school diploma or GED certificate

Associate's degree or two years of study

State Paraprofessional Certification (recommended)

Job description

Primary Purpose

The role of the special education aide is to help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a 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.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate

Highly Qualified Status:

• Attend the free AISD Paraprofessional Academy once hired
• Associate's degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning
• State Paraprofessional Certification (recommended)

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to work well with children
• Ability to communicate effectively

Experience:

• Working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Support board and administrative policies and decisions.
• Maintain professional work environment through a positive attitude, punctuality, regular attendance, phone etiquette, and personal appearance.
• Assist the teacher in the preparation of instructional materials and classroom displays.
• Assist in maintaining a neat and orderly classroom.
• Assist with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Assist the teacher with administrative records and preparing required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
• Assist student with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
• 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 teacher.
• Assist with the supervision of students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.

Other

• Maintain confidentiality
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal/designee

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Working Conditions

• TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: Wheelchair lift, ramp, computer, copier, typewriter, and audio-visual equipment
• MENTAL DEMANDS: Maintain emotional control and work with frequent interruptions
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling, regular heavy lifting of students, hear well, speak clearly, visual acuity & distinguish colors
• ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases

The Abilene ISD does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant's job qualifications, experience, and abilities.

Pay Grade: Clerical-Paraprofessional - 3