Special Education Instructional Aide

Heritage Academy's Special Education paraprofessional position is ideal for a candidate looking to gain valuable experience in Special Education teaching. Special Education Paraprofessionals support the Special Education teacher as they work with students who have a wide range of learning, cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities to support their academic needs.


Education and Experience Requirements: Prior to providing services, Special Education Paraprofessionals must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
• Have experience working with students or parents as approved by the employing superintendent
• Have satisfied ONE of the following requirements: Have three creditable years of experience as either an Educational Aide I or II Have 30 semester hours of college credit with some emphasis on child growth and development or related subject areas Completion of an Education Service Center paraprofessional certification course

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs), and Dispositions:

• A passion for students, especially students with disabilities.
• Ability and patience to work interactively with students, especially students with disabilities.
• Working knowledge of and compliance with federal and state special education law.
• Working knowledge of and compliance with individualized services for students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of and compliance with the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process. Knowledge of the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process. Knowledge of and compliance with Transition.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills to implement multiple and diverse programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Learn and implement teaching curriculum software programs and instruct students on utilization.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of students with disabilities, parents, adminstrative staff, and Campus Directors.
• Ability to effectively interpret policy, procedures, and student data such as diagnostic test results, state assessments scoring, transcripts, and grade point average.
• Ability to transition with district, campus, and/or department changes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with and receive guidance from supervisors
• Manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Assist in the educational and social development of students under the direction and guidance of the classroom teacher and campus administration.
• Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress. Page 1 of 3
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside of the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities.
• Work with other professionals, such as speech therapists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists.
• Assist classroom teachers with maintaining student records.
• Assist in scheduling Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings and Individual Evaluations/Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) ensuring that all timeline requirements are met.
• Assist in acquiring contracted service providers as needed.
• Ensure that student progress is evaluated on a regular basis, and that the findings are used to make special education services more effective.
• Update and send IEP Report Cards to parents at the same time that the general report cards are sent.
• Plan the necessary time, resources, and materials to support general education teachers in accomplishing educational goals of students receiving special education services.
• Ensure compliance with all state mandated assessments and alternative assessments, including their selection and administration.
• Assist the campus administrator with the Response to Intervention process.
• Seek assistance as needed from IDEA Coordination supervisor.
• Demonstrate support for the campus's student management policies and assist with behavior management strategies as they relate to students with disabilities.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, teachers, and administrators.
• Implement ResponsiveEd's Special Education school board policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Compile and maintain all reports, records, and other documents required by law and/or the Director of Special Education.
• Perform special projects, during and after normal buisness hours, and other duties as assigned. NOTE: After normal business hours may include, but is not limited to, Saturday Mandatory State Tutorials.

Equipment Used: All equipment required to perform duties and tasks was previously described.


Physical / Environmental Factors : The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. HACS considers applicants for all postions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital status, verteran or military status, disability, or any other legally protected status. HACS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.