Special Education Teacher Apprentice Paraprofessional

Special Education Teacher Apprentice Paraprofessional @ Alief ISD/ Various Locations Primary Purpose

To assist the teacher in the implementation of individualized education plans for students with disabilities. The Apprentice position offers a dynamic entry point for individuals pursuing a career in education. Designed for those with minimal or no teaching experience, the role is a blend of practical classroom experience and extensive training to develop highly qualified classroom teachers. Apprentices engage in active learning while completing their college education and/or certification program.

Alief ISD is committed to preparing apprentices for a successful teaching career through an immersive, supportive, and enriching environment.

• High School graduate or equivalent (GED)
  • Must enroll in a partnering university, college, or alternative certification program upon acceptance of the apprenticeship offer or be currently enrolled as a clinical teaching student with a partnered university.
• Eligible for appropriate paraprofessional certification
• Must have and/or maintain a minimum GPA score of 2.5 or greater

• Demonstrate interest in and aptitude for work to be performed
• Proficient in supporting instruction in multiple content areas
• Skilled in engaging and inspiring children
• Computer skills helpful
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Able to maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders
• Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi-task activities

• Previous professional experience in interacting with or working with children preferred

Program Management

• Engage students in instructional activities under the direction of the teacher.
• Help students’ master instructional materials assigned by teachers.
• Perform clerical duties in support of the special education classroom (record student attendance, reproduce instructional materials, type forms, create bulletin boards and classroom displays, etc.).
• Assist in the modification of instructional materials.
• Administer, score and record achievement and diagnostic tests, objective-type teacher-made tests and quizzes, and grades as the teacher recommends for students.
• Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce learning of material or skills initially taught by the teacher.
• Collect and record data related to students’ IEP objectives and educational plans.
• Catalogue and file instructional materials; maintain an inventory of supplies and equipment and prepare orders/requisitions for needed materials.
• Read to students, listen to students read, and participate in other forms of oral communication with students.
• Operate equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes.
• Assist students in the library or media center.
• Assist with the supervision of students during lunch periods, assemblies, play periods, and movement of a group to special classes.
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of teachers.
• Participate in training as assigned.
• Provide explicit instruction to small groups of students using a lesson plan designed by the teacher.
• Support the classroom teacher in maintaining a positive learning environment and maintaining student discipline.
• Perform the following personal hygiene functions when assigned per students’ needs: bathing/cleaning; clothes changing; diapering; feeding; maintaining facial hair; maintaining menstrual hygiene; maintaining nasal hygiene; and toileting and/or toilet training.
• Perform the following medically related services when assigned per students’ needs, following training by a nurse: cleaning catheter; tube-feeding; suctioning; lifting/transferring (minimum of 50 pounds); monitoring seizure activity; and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Perform the following physical/behavioral management procedures when assigned per students’ needs: administering therapeutic holds; administering physical restraints; monitoring scheduled reinforcement; monitoring students who are in…