Job Title:  Special Education Assistant

Department/Campus:  Assigned Campus

Pay Grade:  Clerical/Paraprofessional

Primary Purpose:

Help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in 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.

Education/Certification

High school diploma or GED, Valid Texas educational aide certificate, successfully pass MISD literacy test

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Knowledge of general office equipment

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
• 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.
• Help supervise 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.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Participate in faculty meeting and special events as assigned.
• Accuracy – work is neat and correct and completes all work assigned.
• Personal Attributes – neat and clean in dress and appearance, works with others in a positive manner, adapts quickly to changing situations, arrives to work on time.
• Professional Behavior – maintains high level of ethical behavior, avoids gossiping, handles confidential information, avoids speaking ill of other personnel, and avoids doing personal business at work.
• Student Relations – shows respect to students, shows concern and encouragement for students has positive attitude when working with students.
• General Attributes – demonstrates ability to remain calm and withstand pressure.
• Public Relations – Interacts well with students, parents, teachers, peers, and the general public and promotes a positive image of self and school.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:   

None

Equipment Used:

Wheelchair lift, ramps, personal computer, copier, typewriter, and audiovisual equipment

Work Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing; stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; regular heavy lifting of students, biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases

IMPORTANT NOTICE: