Aide - SPED - CANS (26-27)

Paraprofessional-Specialized Services

Provide support to special education students, under the supervision of a special education teacher, who receive services through the ISET, RESET, SAILS, CANS, and/or ECSE programs. Assists with the physical, social, emotional, and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a special and/or general education setting. Students receiving these services may require specialized and intensive academic and behavioral instruction within a special education setting with a continued focus on supporting student skill development to enable them to successfully transition into general education settings.

ECSE provides educational and support services for children 3 to 5 with identified delays in one or more of the five developmental areas. RESET is designed to be a preventative continuum of support for students with social, emotional and behavior needs within inclusive and/or special education settings. ISET is designed to support students who have significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs. CANS and SAILS are designed for students K-12 who have significant cognitive, adaptive behavior, social, communication, and curriculum access needs.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Texas Education Aide Certification Preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to work well with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written directives
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Bilingual (preferred)

Experience:

• Two years experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Social, Emotional, Behavioral, Functional Support

1. 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.
2. Help students take care of physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
3. Help manage the behavior of assigned students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
4. Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
5. Work with assigned students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.
6. Assist in supervising students throughout the day; inside and outside the classroom; in the cafeteria, in the hallway, at the drop-off/pick-up line and bus stop, on the bus, on the playground, on field trips; before and after school hours when in the school's care; and at other times and locations as assigned.
7. Keep teachers informed of special needs or problems of assigned students.

Instructional Support:

1. Adapt instructional materials under the direction of the teacher
2. Work one-one-one and/or in small groups as directed by the teacher
3. Collect data regarding student progress
4. Assist teacher in preparing instructional materials and classroom displays.
5. Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
6. Help with inventory, care and maintenance of equipment.
7. Help teacher keep administrative records and prepared required reports
8. Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Other:

1. Maintain confidentiality.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

General Employee Requirements:

• Quality of Work – complete assignments meeting quality standards, to include accuracy, neatness, thoroughness and adherence to standards and safety rules.
• Quantity of Work – demonstrate the ability to manage several responsibilities simultaneously, perform work in a productive and timely manner, and meet work schedules.
• Work Habits – display a positive, cooperative attitude toward work assignments, working diligently to accomplish tasks assigned.
• Communication – communicate in a positive manner with others, to include listening and responding appropriately, expressing ideas orally and in writing in a manner that helps build a positive climate for the organization.
• Dependability – adhere to time frames, monitor projects and exercise follow-through, be on time for meetings and appointments, and respond appropriately to instructions and procedures.
• Cooperation – work well with co-workers and supervisors as a contributing team member, demonstrate consideration of and maintain rapport with others, and help others willingly.
• Initiative – seek and assume greater responsibility, monitor projects independently as required, and follow through appropriately.
• Adaptability – adjust well to any change in duties, procedures, supervisors or work environment, accept new ideas and approaches to work, and respond appropriately to constructive criticism and suggestions for work improvement.
• Judgment – effectively analyze problems, determine appropriate action for solutions, and use logical thinking to exhibit timely and decisive action.
• Attendance – attend work on a consistent basis, taking care to consider the use and number of absences in accordance with policy so that the organization is not negatively impacted.
• Punctuality – arrive to work and depart from work according to department and district requirements.

Working Conditions:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; wheelchair lift, ramp, and other instructional equipment that may be required by student need

Posture: Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking

Lifting: May require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, assist non ambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive and other classroom equipment; may work prolonged or irregular hours

Environment: Exposure to biological hazards

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress