Job summary
The Special Education Classroom Instructional Assistant provides assistance and motivation to special education students.Works closely with students with disabilities/special needs throughout the school day to help the students learn and succeed in all classroom settings.
Responsibilities
• Work effectively with children having disabilities and special needs within integrated and special education classrooms and in varied settings.• Communicate and work effectively with special education and classroom teachers, co-workers, parents, and other caregivers as an educational team.• Practice professional, legal, and ethical conduct toward students, parents, and co-workers.• Motivate and assist the student(s) to build self-esteem and independence, develop interpersonal and social skills, think independently, learn actively, and self-advocate.• Use assistive technology, computers, and adaptive equipment providing special care or physical assistance required for the student to function in school and learn effectively.• Use developmentally appropriate instructional interventions for curricular activities in the areas of cognitive, motor, self-help, social interaction, and language development for students.• Gather and maintain accurate data regarding the student, including academic, behavioral, and/or health information, as needed, and providing feedback to the teacher to improve instruction for the student.• Understand and appreciate diversity in children's skills and abilities, cultural heritage, lifestyles, values systems, and human rights.• Maintain confidentiality with student information and student records.• Use developmentally appropriate instructional interventions for curriculum activities in the areas of cognitive, motor, self-help, social interaction, and language development for students.
Requirements
• Two years of study at an institution of higher education; or• Associate degree or higher; or• Obtain voluntary certification through the Board of Educational Examiners(Paraeducator Certification); or• Successful completion of ACT WorkKeys® (NCRC Assessment).• Minimum education includes a high school graduate and previous experience working with children. A paraeducator certification is preferred.• For preschool classrooms, preference would be the individual has one of the following three criteria met: a paraeducator certification with an early childhood endorsement, CDA or a two-year degree or higher, or ability to obtain one of the criteria within one year of selection.
Key Skills Needed
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and groups from all levels of the organization.• Effective listening skills.• Ability to gather, collate, and/or classify data.• Problem-solving• Ability to use the computer, process electronic requests.• Able to retrieve and print information from various computer programs when needed.
