Special Education Life Skills Aide

Education Service Center, Region 2; Sinton (TX); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Service Center, Region 2 in Texas is seeking an instructional aide to assist certified staff with IEP-driven instruction and student supports in a classroom setting.

The role emphasizes data collection, collaboration with teachers and specialists, and delivering personal-care and mobility assistance as outlined by student plans.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, plus Texas educational aide certification, with experience in supporting students with disabilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Have met formal academic assessment, associate's degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning.
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate.
• Ability to work effectively with students with a wide range of disabilities.
• Ability to implement teacher-directed instructional activities, accommodations, modifications, behavior supports, and IEP-required services with fidelity.

Responsibilities

• Assist under the direction of the certified teacher to support instruction and IEP implementation.
• Assist individual students and groups with teacher-assigned activities and skill development.
• Prepare and organize instructional materials and IEP-related materials.
• Support student access to the general education curriculum and inclusive settings.
• Provide support outside the general education classroom only when required by the IEP and staff.

Skills

Student support

Communication

Safety procedures

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Education

GED

Associate degree / two years college

Texas educational aide certificate

Job description

Primary Purpose

Assist the certified special education teacher and other assigned professional staff in meeting the instructional, behavioral, communication, functional, physical, health-related, and personal-care needs of students with disabilities. Support implementation of each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), including accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, behavior supports, self-help skills, and teacher-directed instruction. Collect and record student data as directed. Work within the scope of educational aide certification and under the supervision of appropriately certified professional staff, including a certified special education teacher when performing IEP-related duties.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
• Have met formal academic assessment, associate's degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with students with a wide range of disabilities and support needs.
• Ability to implement teacher-directed instructional activities, accommodations, modifications, behavior supports, and IEP-required services with fidelity.
• Ability to collect and record objective academic, behavioral, functional, and other student data using systems established by professional staff.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, student-specific plans, safety procedures, and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to assist with adaptive equipment, mobility, positioning, feeding, toileting, hygiene, and other personal-care needs when required by the assignment and student plan.
• Ability to monitor and supervise students that may elope.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with teachers, related-service providers, administrators, families, and other staff while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to remain calm, use sound judgment, and follow approved procedures during behavioral, medical, or safety-related situations.

Experience

• Two (2) years of experience working with children.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities, behavioral needs, significant support needs, or personal-care needs is preferred.

Major Responsibilities And Duties

Instructional and IEP Support

• Work under the direction of the certified teacher to support teacher-developed instruction and implementation of student IEPs.
• Assist individual students and groups of students with teacher-assigned instructional activities, practice, reteaching, reinforcement, and skill development.
• Implement accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, assistive supports, and other IEP-required supports as directed by certified professional staff.
• Prepare and organize teacher-designed instructional materials and IEP-required materials for student use.
• Support student access to the general education curriculum and inclusive settings while promoting meaningful participation with peers.
• Provide support outside the general education classroom only when consistent with the student's IEP and staff direction.
• Assist students with communication systems, adaptive materials, assistive technology, visual supports, and other specialized tools as trained and directed.
• Collect and accurately record academic, behavioral, communication, functional, and IEP-goal data using criteria and systems established by certified staff.

Student Support, Personal Care, and Accessibility

• Assist students with mobility and physical access, which may include transferring to and from wheelchairs or adaptive equipment, lifting, positioning, ambulation, and use of mobility devices, in accordance with training and student-specific procedures.
• Assist with personal-care and self-help needs when required, including feeding, toileting, diapering, hygiene, dressing, and other activities.
• Recognize and promptly report changes or concerns related to a student's medical, physical, communication, sensory, behavioral, or emotional needs to appropriate professional staff.
• Follow student-specific health, safety, emergency, seizure, allergy, feeding, positioning, or other plans as trained and directed by appropriate district personnel.
• Assist students during transitions and throughout the school day, including classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, arrival/dismissal, transportation, community-based instruction, and other school-sponsored settings as assigned.

Collaboration, Documentation, and Confidentiality

• Maintain confidentiality of student education records, disability information, health information, behavior information, and other protected information in accordance with law and district procedures.
• Communicate regularly with the supervising teacher regarding student needs, progress observations, behavioral concerns, injuries, or changes that may affect instruction or safety.
• Collaborate professionally with general and special education teachers, related-service providers, nurses, administrators, transportation staff, and other personnel supporting the student.
• Maintain accurate records, logs, data sheets, and other documentation assigned by the supervising teacher or administrator.
• Refer parent or guardian questions regarding student progress, IEP decisions, services, placement, discipline, or instructional programming to the appropriate certified teacher or administrator unless specifically authorized to communicate the information.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in required staff development, special education training, safety training, behavior-support training, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Maintain professional conduct, appropriate boundaries, punctuality, dependability, and respectful interactions with students and staff.
• Use district equipment, adaptive devices, technology, and supplies safely and responsibly.
• Follow Sinton ISD Board policy, administrative regulations, campus procedures, student plans, and directives from assigned supervisors.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the general purpose and scope of the position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None. The position may supervise students as assigned but does not have supervisory authority over district employees.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Tools/Equipment Used:

Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; instructional equipment; communication devices; adaptive and assistive technology; mobility devices; positioning equipment; feeding/personal-care equipment; and other specialized equipment required by student needs.

Posture:

Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, and positioning of students or equipment; occasional prolonged sitting.

Motion:

Frequent walking, reaching, grasping, and physical movement; may assist students with mobility and transitions throughout the school environment.

Lifting:

Frequent lifting and carrying of instructional materials and equipment. May require lifting, transferring, repositioning, or assisting students with physical disabilities and moving adaptive equipment. Team lifting and mechanical or adaptive assistance should be used when required by district procedures and the student's needs.

Environment

Work indoors and outdoors; exposure to sun, heat, cold, humidity, inclement weather, noise, bodily fluids, bacteria, communicable diseases, and other biological hazards. May work in classrooms, specialized instructional settings, restrooms/changing areas, cafeterias, playgrounds, buses, community settings, and other district facilities.

Mental Demands

Maintain continuous attention to student needs and safety; work with frequent interruptions; adapt to changing student needs and schedules; exercise patience and sound judgment; maintain emotional control under stress and during crisis situations.

Building/Campus TBD

Building/Campus TBD

Salary: From 15.75

Salary: To 18.97

Salary Type Hourly