Instructional Assistant - Special Education (5.75 Hrs) VHS

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT- SPECIAL EDUCATION

General Purpose:

Under general supervision, may provide instruction and tutor individual and small groups

of students in assigned special education programs with emotional, physical, behavioral

and mental disabilities in various subject-matter areas to reinforce classroom lessons;

observes, monitors and records student performance and behavior; performs

administrative functions in support of classroom activities; and performs related duties as

assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Responsible for providing, under the guidance and direction of a classroom teacher, instruction and tutoring on various subjects to students with emotional, physical, behavioral or mental disabilities in assigned special education programs. Work assigned to an Instructional Assistant- Special Education requires knowledge of subject areas applicable to an area of assignment and the ability to provide instruction to students with disabilities in an effective manner.

Instructional Assistants- Special Education are distinguished from Instructional

Assistants in that incumbents in the former class are assigned to work with students with emotional, physical, behavioral and mental disabilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Works with and tutors individual and small groups of children in assigned special education programs in various subject matter areas to reinforce class lessons and assist students in completing class and home work assignments; reads with groups of students; directs the activities of small groups of students; supervises students working in classroom learning centers; oversees student computer activities.
• Observes, monitors and records student performance and behavior; assesses a student's learning needs based on their performance in individual or group tutoring sessions; meetswith teachers to check on student progress, obtain grades and clarify assignments; coordinates IEPs with regular education teachers; assists teachers and psychologists in assessing students with mild to severe learning disabilities; confers with specialists on programs and materials to meet students individual needs.
• Oversees student activities and assists in observing and controlling student behavior; assists with student discipline and conflict resolution; assists in keeping students focused and on-track; monitors student behavior and reports progress and problems to teaching staff; implements behavior management plans set by the teacher; covers the classroom as needed; supervises students during nutrition breaks and physical education; escorts students as needed; accompanies classes on field trips and community-based instruction outings to assist in supervising students; assists students in entering and leaving school buses.
• Under teacher guidance and direction, prepares homework assignments and packets according to student needs; corrects student assignments and records grades; distributes and collects papers and supplies; assists in administering examinations to students.
• Prepares basic instructional materials for lesson use; prepare modifies handouts and materials; selects didactic material according to individual educational goals of each student; sets up and prepares classroom bulletin boards, work areas, displays and exhibits; records stories and vocabulary on cassette tapes; translates educational materials.
• Takes attendance and maintains students records of attendance, grades and test scores; keeps track of assignments turned in by students.
• Performs general clerical duties in support of the classroom; duplicates and files student materials and records; answers the classroom phone and takes messages for the teacher; types various correspondence and documents; puts documents in binders; organizes filing cabinets; collates and laminates materials; delivers mail; maintains confidential documents; ensures there are enough supplies for students to use.
• Provides translation for parents and teachers during conferences, meetings and interviews; assists in setting up parent-teacher meetings; attends regular staff and inservice meetings; attends IEP meetings.
• Assists in maintaining a clean and orderly learning environment to ensure the health and safety of students; assists in cleaning and straightening the classroom; assists with student personal hygiene and grooming needs including toileting, eating, changing diapers and clothes in the event of accidents.

Other Duties:

• Assists students in filling out ROP, JTPA, WIA and graduation packages.
• Assists students in food preparation, cooking and cleaning.
• Assists with assigned school work.
• Assists teachers with special projects and programs.
• May provide basic first aid to students as needed.
• Assists students in accessing restroom facilities and changing soiled clothing or diapers.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

• Methods and practices of child guidance, especially as it relates to special education students.
• Basic subject matter areas taught in District schools, including mathematics, grammar, spelling, language and reading.
• Procedures and practices of classroom and playground safety.
• Conflict resolution methods and techniques.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Administrative practices and procedures, including record-keeping and filing practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Assist students in developing self-help, social and daily living skills, including eating, dressing, toileting and personal grooming.
• Recognize individual student learning needs and adapt materials and homework assignments to facilitate learning.
• Operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Organize, set priorities and exercise sound judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Organize and maintain confidential student records and files.
• Communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Lift, restrain and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures.
• Use tact, discretion, courtesy and patience in dealing with sensitive and difficult students and situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District staff, teachers, parents, students and others encountered in the course of work.

Training and Experience:

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is

graduation from high school; and at least one year of experience working with special

education children in an organized setting; or some combination of education, training

and experience that produces the requisite knowledge and ability.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

Some assignments may require the ability to speak and write in a designated second

language.

Physical and Mental Demands:

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with

reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an

individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the

limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate

the limitation.

Work Year:

10 Months

Salary:Range 8 of the Classified Salary Schedule

4.18.2016

Letter of IntroductionResumeThree Letters of Recommendation