Special Education Aide

Southwest ISD; Carrollton (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest ISD seeks a paraprofessional to assist students with disabilities under supervision. You will help with mobility, daily care, and instructional support in classroom and non-classroom settings.

Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED with appropriate certification or an associate degree/48 college hours, and demonstrate the ability to follow instructions, maintain confidentiality, and communicate effectively.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or GED with ESSA/NCLB certificate or an associates degree.
• Experience working with children; ability to follow instructions and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to assist students with disabilities and support daily activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with mobility, including transfers to/from wheelchairs and positioning.
• Help students with physical needs, feeding, bathroom care, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage behavior and intervene in crises using approved techniques.
• Learn and adapt to each student’s medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Support students in motor skill activities and instructional exercises.
• Assist during lunch, bus, playground, and general school activities; report needs to teacher.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Student support

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates degree / 48 college hours

Job description

Primary Purpose:

Help meet physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities in an effort to provide them with the support needed to gain full benefits from the district's special education program. Work under general supervision of principal and direction of classroom teacher.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:
High school diploma or GED and ESSA or NCLB Certificate
OR Associates degree or 48 college hours from an accredited college
Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting check
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Ability to work with children with disabilities.
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and communicate
effectively.
Maintain confidentiality
Experience:
Two years of experience working successfully with children (preferred)

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Help meet the individual needs of students, including transferring them to and from wheelchairs, lifting and positioning them, and signing or interpreting instructions for them, etc.
• Help students take care of physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage the behavior of assigned students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed using crisis prevention intervention techniques.
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Work with assigned students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
• Assist assigned students throughout school day, inside and outside classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of assigned students.
• Participate in professional development programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Daily attendance and punctuality are essential functions of the job.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture: Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling
Motion: Repetitive hand motions and reaching
Lifting: May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; occasional light lifting and carrying (up to 40+ lbs.)
Environment: Occasional district-wide travel; exposure to biological hazards and moderate to heavy lifting required
Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non-ambulatory students
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
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