Instructional Paraprofessional 7.0 Hours/Day 25/26 School Year

Special Education Assistant

Compensation range: Starts at $15.50/hour or $16.50/hour for self-contained positions. A comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, voluntary life insurance, paid sick and personal time, paid holidays, membership in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), optional 403(b) plan, and employee assistance program (EAP).

Summary: Working under supervision of the classroom teacher and other special education professionals. Carries out the educational programs developed by the special education teacher. Assists with special education students as requested by the building administrator.

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

I. Classroom Management and Instruction

• Assist with classroom management and instruction, such as:
• Providing attention, direction and assistance to students when appropriate.
• Communicating regularly with the teacher regarding daily plans and any observations.
• Tutoring individuals.
• Working in small groups with students.
• Implementing teacher-planned activities for individuals and small groups of students.
• Encouraging appropriate behavior.
• Assisting in the implementation of the students' behavior management program.
• Observing, recording and charting academic and behavioral progress.
• Accompanying and/or assisting mainstreamed students in regular classrooms.
• Serving as resource person for the substitute upon teacher absence.
• Working with general education students and other special education students in the building when requested. However, arbitrary movement of personnel outside their assignments should be avoided.
• Assist with students outside the classroom, such as:
• Supervising your students first at free time, in corridors, lavatories, lunchroom, playground, etc. and then the general population.
• Helping with field trips, school parties and club activities.
• Escorting students to various locations in building.
• Meeting, loading and unloading buses.
• Helping evacuate students during fire drills.
• Assist in classroom housekeeping, such as:
• Collecting money and keeping records.
• Setting up room for conferences.
• Passing out paper and supplies.
• Assisting in set up, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
• Caring for lights, window shades, room temperature.
• Assist in maintaining an orderly and neat classroom environment.
• Assist with clerical duties, such as:
• Preparing data for reporting to parents.
• Copying information on school records.
• Correcting students' work which will be evaluated by a teacher.
• Keeping files of students' work.
• Preparing classroom material as chosen and designed by teachers (dittos, flash cards, etc).
• Making charts, bulletin boards, and other visual materials planned by the teacher.
• Preparing student lists.
• Assist with physical needs of students, such as:
• Toileting and diapering students between the ages of 3 and 21.
• Helping student undress for swimming, participating in the pool and helping him/her get dressed afterward.
• Assisting with lifting and positioning of students.
• Feeding students at lunch time, carrying out prescriptive feeding programs which have been outlined by the occupational therapist for specific students after appropriate training and periodic monitoring has been implemented.
• Participates in signing programs and other specialized programming when those methods are required to be utilized with students:
• Communication systems (i.e. signing, PEC's).
• Sensory motor.
• Work related activities.
• Some specialized training may be required to meet the needs of the students. Should additional training be required to assist special education students it will be at no cost to the employee.

Assumes any other job related duties, which may from time to time be delegated by building administration/special education supervisors. Furthermore, the superior shall make any adjustments in the scope of responsibilities as outlined above which will be in the best interest of the school district.

Education/Training: Minimum high school diploma.

Qualifications: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Must possess good oral, written and communication skills.