Instructional Assistant- Special Education

Instructional Assistant (Special Education)

Under regular supervision, performs specialized work by assisting teachers in instructing and directing the activities of special-needs students to provide a well-organized, smoothly functioning classroom environment.

• Assists students with exercises and the preparation of materials for class activities; concentrates efforts with small groups of students and individuals as necessary.
• Reinforces all knowledge and skills taught by the classroom teacher.
• Assists teacher by administering and grading tests, recording grades, substituting as needed, escorting children to other areas of the school, and monitoring student behavior.
• At the kindergarten / elementary school level, listens to individuals and small groups in reading exercises; participates in free play time; assists with basic health needs and may accompany individuals to lavatories.
• At the high school level, may instruct students in the use of computer programs related to their respective subjects.
• May assist in teaching, correcting and transcribing Braille; serves as a liaison between school and parents; translates to parents and students.
• May operate computers and provide basic computer instructional assistance to students.
• May manage a computer lab, performing without direct supervision various duties including enrolling students, maintaining records, operating and ensuring the proper maintenance of computers, troubleshooting computer problems, supervising students and maintaining a clean and orderly facility.
• Creates bulletin board displays in the classroom or department.
• Assists in maintaining student records and files, including performing computer data entry.
• Prepares transparencies, charts, graphs and duplicated materials for classroom use; operates and cares for audio-visual equipment.
• Assists in cleaning and storing of materials after completion of activities.
• Supervises students when unloading and loading buses, in the halls, on field trips, during lunch and on school grounds.
• Participates in staff development programs as required.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, teachers, students, parents, co-workers, school administrators, and other school/District personnel.
• Complies with all federal laws, state statutes, Board policies, administrative rules, and directives.

• Requires a minimum of 60 college hours from an accredited college or university or a passing score of 456 or above on the Praxis Para Pro Assessment, supplemented by two years of consistent training and experience working with children in an education-oriented institution.
• Must have the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics of data, people or things.
• Must be able to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information.
• Must be able to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, food manuals, recipes, etc.
• Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment, including cooking equipment, kitchen appliances and utensils, etc. Must be able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.