Assistant- Special Education (Strive)

Pay Grade: 725 (Min $17.26 per hr) Work Days: 183 STRIVE | Structured Classroom (Centralized ECS-12) The Strive structured classroom is a specialized program for students that typically have a disability that significantly impacts their functioning in all areas such as, cognitive skills, communication, adaptive behavior, social emotional skills, and academics. Students in Strive need a highly structured environment to support their behavioral or functional progress. Instruction in the Strive classroom uses structured behavioral and academic supports including visual schedules, functional communication training, defined physical boundaries, and integrated sensory supports.

Primary Purpose:

• Assist the campus staff in providing for the physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities under the general supervision of the principal and the immediate direction of a certified teacher.

Qualifications: Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Work well with children with disabilities
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of general office equipment

Experience:

• Experience working with students

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Assist the teacher(s) in preparation of student work, workstations, and classroom displays
• Assists with instructional activities under the direction of the special education team leader
• Liaison between regular education and special education teacher(s) on student's IEP (Individual Education Plan), modifications and adaptations of curriculum for student(s) and student progress
• Adjust on-the-spot instruction without immediate teacher directions when necessary and provide daily feedback to teacher on students' progress
• Assume responsibility for learning, adapting, and working through teacher direction regarding each student's special medical, physical, communicative and emotional needs
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their individualized needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
• Assist in managing the behavior of students and crisis intervention, including restraining disruptive or dangerous physical behavior as needed
• Assist in supervising students throughout the school day, both inside and outside the classroom, including lunchroom, bus duty, and playground
• Assist in inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events, as needed
• Follow all rules, regulations, and policies of Plano ISD and follow directives from supervisor
• Follow attendance policy as assigned by supervisor
• Perform other functions that may be assigned by the Administration and/or supervisor

Equipment Used:

• Wheelchair lift, ramps, personal computer, copier, typewriter, and audio-visual equipment

Working Conditions: Mental Demands:

• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal); maintain emotional control under stress

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Frequent skilled lifting up to 50 pounds (training provided); stretching exercises (training provided); percussion breathing treatments (training provided) delivered in conjunction with health services; frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling

SM100226/00055793