Stuart Elementary PreK Instructional Assistant - Special Education

TITLE : Instructional Assistant/Paraprofessional Special Populations

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Associate Degree or passing score on paraprofessional test
2. Ability to communicate effectively with students and school personnel
3. Ability to maintain a cooperative, harmonious relationship within the school setting which fosters recognition and respect for every individual

REPORTS TO

Special Education Teacher

JOB GOAL

Assists with the implementation of strategies to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Assists with student instruction to meet the goals/objectives of the IEP

2. Provides support for the special education and general education teachers

3. Attends to the personal needs of special education students to whom assigned such as: eating, dressing, toileting and/or diapering, walking, getting on and off buses, putting on or adjusting prosthetic appliances, physical and occupational therapy exercises (as instructed occupational or physical therapist), and other tasks and activities as assigned by the supervising special education teacher

4. Maintains student confidentiality, as mandated by both State and Federal law, at all times

5. Defers all inquiries or concerns from parents, teachers or other staff members regarding student(s) to the school administrator or supervising special education teacher

6. Assists with student management

7. Under the supervision of the supervising special education teacher, works with small groups of special education students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher

8. Assists student(s) in math, reading, and other curricular tasks, as directed by the supervising teacher, guiding and helping, but never assuming the role of the teacher

9. Assists special education students who participate in general education classes for all or any portion of the day, as directed by the supervising special education teacher

10. Accompanies the student(s) to whom assigned to various points about the school and campus as directed by supervising special education teacher

11. Operates and cares for equipment and materials used in the classroom for instructional purposes

12. Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, play periods, field trips, and other school-related activities

13. Performs other duties as assigned by the supervising special education teacher or appropriate administrator

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This job may require lifting of objects that exceed 50 lbs., or the average weight of a child, if assigned to elementary school, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Other physical demands that may be required are as follows:

1. Pushing and/or pulling

2. Climbing and/or balancing

3. Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling

4. Reaching, handling

5. Talking

6. Hearing

7. Seeing

TEMPERAMENT (Personal Traits)

1. Adaptability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure

2. Adaptability to accept responsibility for the direction, control, or planning of an activity

3. Adaptability to deal with students

4. Adaptability to make generalizations, evaluations, or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria

CAPACITY AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Specific capacities and abilities may be required of an individual in order to learn or perform adequately a task or job duty. 

1. Intelligence: Ability to understand instructions and underlying principles and ability to reason and make judgments

2. Verbal: Ability to understand meanings of words and the ideas associated with them

3. Numerical: Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately

4. Manual Dexterity: Ability to move hands easily and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and accurately

5. Form Perception: Ability to make visual comparisons and discriminations and see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures 

WORK CONDITIONS

Normal working conditions

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so assigned.