Special Ed Classroom Assist (Cognitive Developmental Delay)

CPS; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS is seeking a Special Education Classroom Assistant to support students with disabilities in Chicago-area schools. The role involves tutoring, personal care assistance, and helping implement IEPs under the supervision of a licensed teacher.

The position requires a paraprofessional license or 60 college credits and allows collaboration with classroom staff to promote student independence and safety in daily activities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of characteristics of students with various disabilities.
• Strong command of English grammar and spelling.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction.
• Ability to complete and maintain basic written reports.

Responsibilities

• Assist in instruction for students with disabilities in elementary and high schools.
• Provide one-on-one tutoring for students to reinforce concepts.
• Provide one-on-one personal hygiene services as needed.
• Assist with feeding and positioning equipment for students.
• Help students with daily living skills and self-sufficiency.
• Accompany students to swimming pools, medical clinics, and field trips.
• Take notes and assist in maintaining behavior records.
• Participate in workshops and training to update skills.

Skills

Disability knowledge

English grammar

Basic mathematics

Oral and written communication

Instruction following

Record keeping

Education

60 semester hours of college credit

Paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro)

Tools

Photocopying equipment

Audio-visual equipment

Job description

CLASS TITLE: Special Education Classroom Assistant

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS:Under the general direction of the school principal, and under the immediate supervision of a Special Education teacher holding a valid teaching certificate directly engaged in teaching subject matter or conducting activities, assists in the instruction of disabled students; and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Assists Special Educationteachers in elementary and high schools in reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities, including physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional impairments, and mental impairments in accordance with each students’ Individual Education Program (IEP); lifts and positions non-ambulatory students during the school day as instructed by the teacher and in adherence to written instruction from students’ personal physicians; provides one-on-one tutoring services for students to present or reinforce learning concepts; provides one-on-one personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning soiled children regardless of age; assists students with orthopedic impairments by arranging and adjusting tools, work aids, and equipment used by students in classrooms, including but not limited to specially equipped worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners; assists teacher in instructing students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency; accompanies students to swimming pools and medical clinics to assist in removing clothing and performing other personal services which students are unable to perform themselves; assists in feeding students unable to do so themselves; takes notes in classrooms for students unable to do so themselves; corrects homework assignments and examination materials; assists teachers in maintaining written records of students’ behavior; accompanies students and teachers on class field trips; attends and participates in workshops and in service training to update job related skills.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:May utilize aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students, may administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as directed by the teacher, may operate audio-visual equipment, may operate photocopying equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Certification Requirements. Must possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which may be applied for and obtained after the successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of college credit at a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or successful completion of a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro). Also refer to:

• Illinois State Board of Education
• Educator License Application
• Work Keys
• Paraprofessional Assessment

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skill. Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities, good knowledge of English grammar and spelling, good knowledge of basic mathematics.

Ability to work with and for students with various disabilities, ages birth to twenty-one (21) years of age; ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction; ability to complete and maintain basic written reports. (Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly desirable. Individuals who do not provide evidence of the completion of training in CPR at the time of initial employment in this class title will complete CPR training as a condition of employment.)

Good oral and written communication skills, skill in the operation of photocopying and audio-visual equipment is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements.Medium Work: Exerting up to fifty (50) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to twenty (20) pounds of force frequently, and/or to ten (10) pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands include the ability to reach, handle, and finger objects; talk and hear; occasional use of near visual acuity and frequent use of far visual acuity