Instructional Aide

About the School:

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.

Position Overview:

The Paraeducator provides direct instructional, behavioral, and personal support to students with disabilities in collaboration with the classroom teacher, related service providers, and other educational staff. This role is critical in supporting students' academic, social, emotional, and functional development while fostering independence and inclusion in the classroom, community, and school environment.

Position Information:

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Schedule: Mondays - Fridays from 7:30am to 3:30pm

Working Days: 187 days per year. (Not including optional Extended School Year)

Payrate: $21-22/hr; depending on education.

Job Responsibilities:

A. Student Supervision & Safety

• Provide continuous supervision of students during instructional and non-instructional times, including arrival, transitions, meals, and dismissal.
• Assist with personal care needs, such as feeding, mealtime, toileting, mobility, self-care, and hygiene.
• Implement safety plans, de-escalation strategies, and behavioral supports in collaboration with the teacher and behavioral specialists.
• Ensure a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment for all students.

B. Instructional Support

• Assist teachers in implementing individualized education programs (IEPs) by providing one-on-one or small-group instruction.
• Adapt classroom activities and materials to meet students' unique learning needs, including the use of tactile, auditory, and assistive technology resources when appropriate.
• Reinforce lessons, skills, and concepts introduced by the teacher using structured prompts and cues.
• Support students' participation in inclusive classroom settings, ensuring accessibility and engagement

C. Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support

• To provide consistency as necessary with behavioral, therapeutic and educational plans and programs.
• Support implementation of positive behavior intervention plans (PBIPs) and reinforcement strategies.
• Model and promote appropriate social skills, self-regulation, and coping strategies.
• Assist in collecting behavioral and academic data to inform progress monitoring and instructional adjustments

D. Collaboration & Communication

• Work under the direction of the supervising teacher.
• Communicate effectively with teachers, therapists, and administrators to ensure consistent support strategies.
• Maintain professional and confidential relationships with students, families, and staff.
• To accept/follow directives and supervision regarding the students and their programs.
• To be flexible regarding daily assignments (in the morning and throughout the workday)

E. Documentation & Reporting

• Collect and record data on student performance, participation, and behavior as directed.
• Assist in preparing classroom materials, lesson supports, and activity schedules.
• Follow all school, state, and federal guidelines for documentation, confidentiality, and mandated reporting.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children with disabilities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Physical ability to lift, position, and assist students as required by individual needs.
• Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations

Physical Demands / Work Requirements:

The following physical demands are typical for a role in this setting:

• Ability to help lift and/or position students when necessary. Must be comfortable with lifting up to 50 pounds from the floor.
• Ability to lift and carry objects such as equipment, books, stacks of reports, etc, generally items weighing 20 pounds or less.
• Frequent reaching, bending, twisting, crouching, stooping, kneeling, crawling, sitting, and walking including up and down stairs.
• Pushing wheelchairs, moving/sliding student equipment.
• Ability to work in a hot humid environment in therapy pool area and outdoors during student activities and morning and afternoon transportation as needed.
• Communicate respectfully with multiple team members.
• Perform maintenance and upkeep of educational areas and therapy areas (i.e. OT/PT gym, clinic room, storage rooms).
• Assist with student enrichment groups and adapted sports programming as assigned.
• Ability to read and attend to computer screens.
• Manual dexterity skills for typing and use of various equipment.
• Comply with established policies and other duties.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.