Special Ed Classroom Assistant

CPS; Illinois; On-site; USD 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS is seeking a Special Education Classroom Assistant to support teachers and students with disabilities in elementary and high schools, reinforcing instruction and assisting with daily living tasks as needed.

Responsibilities include one-on-one tutoring, notes, behavior records, field trips, and basic hygiene support. Certification via ISBE TASN paraprofessional license or equivalent required; CPR training may be required.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid TASN paraprofessional license (ISBE).
• Fulfill 60 college credits or pass paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro).
• Strong knowledge of disability characteristics and classroom support.

Responsibilities

• Assist in reinforcing instruction for students with disabilities.
• Provide one-on-one tutoring and support daily living skills.
• Assist with note-taking, behavior records, and field trips.
• Support personal hygiene tasks when required and safe.
• Prepare and operate classroom equipment as directed.

Skills

Good English grammar

Good communication

Basic math skills

Ability to work with disabled students

Education

TASN paraprofessional license (ISBE)

60 college credits or Parapro/work keys

Tools

Photocopier operation

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