Instructional Assistant

Instructional AssistantInstructional Assistants work under the supervision of, and at the discretion of, classroom teacher, support staff and administration to provide a range of supportive services to special education students. These services may include assistance and instruction in self-care skills, academics, pre-vocational and vocational skills, life skills, therapeutic intervention and behavioral management.Minimum qualifications include no physical or mental restrictions that would, with reasonable accommodation, prevent performance of the essential job functions and responsibilities, possession of an Associate's degree or better, or the ability to successfully pass the Work Keys assessments, ability to read and comprehend written program plans, instructions and other classroom essentials, demonstrated ability to assist with successful implementation of student behavior plans and implement TCI student supports (including physical intervention if needed), and strong organizational skills.Essential job functions include work attendance, providing direct assistance and training to students in areas including pre-academic and academic instruction, pre-vocational and vocational instruction, self-care skills, life skills, therapeutic programming, and behavioral management, assisting the classroom teacher in the preparation of instructional materials, assisting students in meeting their immediate self-care needs such as feeding, toileting and managing difficult student behavior, reporting problems and concerns regarding students to the teacher or other designated authority, assisting with student data collection and analysis, attending and participating in parent/teacher conferences, following a flexible schedule and working collaboratively with all Wesley School students and staff, upholding the Code of Conduct established for Wesley School staff, and performing such other tasks and assuming such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the classroom teacher.Notable physical requirements include standing/walking up to 6 hours per day, sitting up to 1 hour per day, lifting up to 35 pounds 2 to 3 times per hour for 7 hours, fine motor skills required to do things such as write, pick up small objects, assist student with buckles and snaps, gross motor skills required to do things such as shift weight from foot to foot while balancing a load with hands and arms, lift large objects, and lift limbs of student. May be required to pass a MAISD-paid physical examination and/or back x-ray before an unconditional offer of employment can be made.Typical work environment is accomplished in a classroom environment, at community job sites or in a community based instructional site. Instructional Assistants are evaluated according to Board policy and the terms of the current bargained agreement.