2026 - 2027 SY Special Education Instructional Aide Pool PK3-HS

Special Education Instructional Aide

Reports to: Principal

Primary Purpose: Assigned to and performs tasks under the supervision of a certified teacher or teaching team. Provides assistance to the teacher in preparing and using instructional materials. Conducts drills and exercises as directed by the teacher. Assists in scoring objective measuring instruments. Assists in working with individual students and with groups.

Education/Certification:

Must have completed two years of college (48+ college hours) or obtained an Associate's Degree

Valid Texas educational aide certificate

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

Experience:

Some experience working with children

Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Trustees may find appropriate and acceptable

PSJA Leadership Skills and Expectations

In PSJA ISD, we hire individuals who are expected to embody the Spirit of PSJA and demonstrate these characteristics as they lead others.

Positive Engagement: Welcomes staff, students, parents, and community as honored members at the district table - Builds relationships – Builds positive, trusting relationships through frequent interactions which demonstrate care and interest in well-being of all stakeholders Exhibits professionalism – Exhibits awareness and reflection to manage emotions and engage in continuous personal growth Models ethics – Exemplifies the values and priorities of the district through consistent actions and service to stakeholders Communicates effectively- Maintains open lines of two-way communication with staff, students, parents, and community to receive input and provide information for engagement with district vision

Student-centered Excellence: Holds vision and expectations for success for all students and all staff - Demonstrates expertise – Possesses up-to-date knowledge and skills to perform organizational role at a high level of competence Establishes shared vision – Articulates the school's mission to the community and solicits support in making that mission become a reality Implements plans- Works with all stakeholders to implement vision by establishing goal, monitoring progress, and providing resources Expects results – Pursues exceptional results for all students by holding self and others accountable and driving for continuous improvement

Joint Empowerment: Develops and empowers individuals and teams for effective action - Promotes collaboration – Designs organizational structures to promote collaboration and teamwork for distributed leadership throughout the district Inspires Action – Motivates others to take responsible risks and perform at their highest level to support district vision and goals Builds capacity – Provides opportunities for growth to ensure all staff build capacity to support district goals Develops leaders – Identifies, develops, and places future leaders through rigorous processes and strategic leadership assignments

Adaptive Innovation: Maintains district at the forefront of educational service providers - Scans Environment – Analyzes and applies understanding of internal organization and external environment to assess and respond to the district's future advancement Manages change – Demonstrates courage, initiative, and perseverance in bringing about meaningful change to support the shared vision Champions solutions – Challenges the status quo by collaboratively exploring new and better ways of doing things Acknowledges outcomes – Creates a positive environment for growth by celebrating success and learning from failure

Technical Skills, Responsibilities and Duties

In PSJA ISD, we hire individuals who demonstrate excellence in these technical areas as they lead others.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional Support:

• 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.

Student Management:

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• 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.

Other:

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

It is the policy of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin or age.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Equipment Used: Wheelchair lift, ramp, personal computer, copier, and audiovisual equipment.

Working Conditions: 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.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.