Special Education Instructional Assistant

Summary

Performs a variety of paraprofessional curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to support teachers and other professional staff in a general or special education classroom or learning environment; assists with the daily management of the students and classroom.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduation from high school or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• One (1) year of experience working with children as a volunteer or paid employee, or equivalent participation in any teacher education introductory course with the provision of documented support.
  • Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience.
• For assignments to Title I schools:
  • Associate degree; OR
  • Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR
  • Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.
• Knowledge and understanding of child growth and development.
• Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices applicable to assignment;
• Knowledge of subject matter reinforcement practices of the classes to which assigned.
• Ability to implement teachers' instructional plans in assigned field.
• Ability to work effectively with students and staff.
• Ability to assist with the implementation of an instructional program and related technology, and to participate in monitoring and ensuring appropriate student behavior.
• Ability to learn and apply the instructional goals and policies of Fairfax County Public Schools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Preferred

• For assignments to non-Title I schools:
  • Associate degree; OR
  • Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR
  • Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.

Major Duties/Essential Functions

1. Performs curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to assist teachers and other professional staff in a classroom or other instructional setting.
2. Works with the teacher to provide instructional or developmental activities for a general or special education population.
3. Performs remedial instruction or tasks to reinforce learning initiated by a teacher or professional staff.
4. Works with students requiring individual or close attention.
5. Observes and assists individual students experiencing difficulties.
6. Assists the teacher with the development of individualized programs.
7. Prepares a variety of instructional materials and reports, as requested.
8. Works with individuals or small groups of students.
9. Reads to students, listens to their recitations, and collaborates on reading strategies.
10. Facilitates activities with groups of students engaged in drawing, writing, independent study, or other work.
11. Assists with teaching classes of basic skills and may monitor a computer, writing, or other technology laboratories under general supervision.
12. May assist with instructing students with special needs under the supervision of the teacher, including monitoring students on independent work.
13. Supervises and monitors students in off-site vocational training and community travel settings, as assigned.
14. Helps maintain order and assists with managing the behavior of students, including behavior intervention plans and crisis management.
15. Proctors tests and examinations, corrects and scores objective tests.
16. Maintains inventory and distributes textbooks and other instructional materials.
17. Assists with maintenance of files containing student work and evaluation and assessment data; observes, gathers, and records assessment data on students; reviews observations/progress of students with instructional staff.
18. Continues instructional activities during the teacher's absence from the classroom.
19. Assists with routine care, including personal hygiene, feeding and other tasks, as required or requested.
20. On occasion, serves as a substitute teacher.
21. Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

This job operates in a school environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard classroom equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors, smartboards, filing cabinets, and assistive technology. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to regularly stand, sit, walk, bend, and/or kneel. This job requires lifting up to 35 lbs., and occasional lifting/moving up to 70 lbs. and/or use of a Hoyer lift.