Instructional Assistant - Special Education

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT - Special Education

BASIC FUNCTION:

Assist a certified teacher in providing instruction to individual or small groups; monitor and report student progress.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Assist a certified teacher by performing a variety of support functions in a regular classroom setting.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

- Administer first aid and medications according to established policies and procedures.


- Perform a broad variety of health services for students.


- Assist teacher with crisis intervention and physical restraints of students.


- Assist students with personal hygiene needs: toileting, diapering, feeding, etc.


- Tutor individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing and implementing instruction as directed by the teacher; maintain records of student progress.


- Participate as a member of an instructional team including remediation teams.


- Prepare and organize lessons as directed by the teacher; administer and score a variety of tests according to established guidelines; assist in determining English proficiency of identified students.


- Assist in administering diagnostic and other tests; score and record test information.


- Monitor and report behavior of students according to approved procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior; check and assist students with lab work as necessary.


- Perform routine clerical duties such as preparation of instructional and classroom materials; operate copy machines; maintain classroom records; maintain attendance records.


- Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio-visual equipment, operating educational training equipment and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.


- Assist in overseeing students while in labs; provide for supplies inventory as necessary.


- Assist students by providing proper examples, emotional support, a friendly attitude and general guidance.


- Confer, as needed, with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.


- Contact parents of students who are absent; make home visits as necessary.


- Administer health services to students as necessary, including, but not limited to, the administration of medication; the operation, maintenance, or health care through the use of medical equipment; or the administration of clinical procedures.


- Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and regulations.


- Direct group activities of students as assigned; assist in monitoring lunchroom and playground activities as assigned; assist in emergency drills, assemblies, play periods and field trips.


- Participate in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.


- Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

- Basic subjects taught in the District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading.


- Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.


- Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.


- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.


- Basic record-keeping techniques.

ABILITY TO:


- Maintain regular and predictable attendance.


- Learn child guidance principles and practices.


- Communicate and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff and the public, including members of ethnic communities.


- Perform routine clerical duties in support of classroom activities.


- Print and write legibly.


- Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.


- Understand and follow oral and written directions.


- Learn procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties.


- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.


- Learn to apply and explain policies and procedures related to school and program activities.


- Work cooperatively with others.


- Monitor, observe and report students behavior according to approved policies and procedures.


- Operate instructional and office equipment.


- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and physically restrain and control a student up to 150 pounds with assistance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

- Work is performed while standing, sitting and/or walking


- Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision and hearing


- Requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations


- Requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching


- Requires the ability to lift, carry, push or pull light weights

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to: high school diploma, G.E.D. Certificate or demonstrated progress toward obtaining G.E.D. as required by Kentucky law and 1) complete two years of study at an institution of higher education; 2) obtain an associates (or higher) degree; or 3) met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal State or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics (or as appropriate reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness). Some experience in working with children in an organized setting.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so assigned. Responsibilities and duties assigned are at the discretion of the supervisor.