Instructional Aide Support

About the Employer

Experience

Some experience working with children

Primary Purpose

Help meet physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a self-contained classroom. Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.

Education/Certification

• High school diploma or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
• Have met formal academic assessment, Associate's degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning*
• Valid Texas Educational Aide Certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Knowledge of general office equipment

Instructional Support

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs including transferring to and from wheelchairs; lifting; positioning; or assisting students with personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
• Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed.
• Recognize differences in each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly.
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.

Other

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Tools/Equipment Used

• Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students

Posture

Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion

Frequent walking and reaching

Lifting

Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities,
• Controlling behavior through physical restraint,
• Assisting nonambulatory students,
• Lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment

Environment

Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases)

Mental Demands

Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

SHARS/SPED/PASS Duties

Other SHARS duties as assigned. Provide personal care as identified in applicable student IEP's. Help meet the individual needs of students, including transferring them to and from wheelchairs, lifting and positioning them, and signing or interpreting instructions for them, etc. Help students take care of physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.

Additional SHARS Duties

Provide or supervise personal care, medical care, and feeding of students as stated in IEP. Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, positioning; or assisting students with personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene. Assist students on and off the bus according to their individual needs including lifting and carrying students and disabilities.