Teacher Aide (Moderate to Severe)

Definition:Under general supervision, assists teachers with a wide variety of special education students; performs a wide variety of duties involving immediate contact and close supervision of children; assists students by providing and developing students adaptive and behavioral skills; and performs a variety of clerical duties of average difficulty.

Class Characteristics:
Positions in this class are established to assist teachers in providing close attention to every child in the classroom. Positions are assigned where they are required to lift and move children, some of whom are in wheelchairs and diapers and some of whom have reached adult size. Incumbents perform general duties and play a major role in assisting the teacher in caring for the physical needs of the children. Supervision of the children is unceasing during the day. The incumbents may eat lunch with the children and carry on a habit training program in etiquette, hygiene, manners and development of skill in using eating utensils. Some positions in this class may assist students with moderate to severe disabilities to develop behavioral and vocational skills. Incumbents may also participate in the transportation of children with moderate to severe disabilities to job training sites or occasional field trips.

In conjunction with teachers and resource specialists, assists children to become as independent as possible by teaching them to perform such activities as sitting, communicating, eating, walking, manipulating objects and moving around independently in their environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS)
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Carry out instructional plans as designated by the special education teacher and the student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
2. Learn the behavior characteristics of each child in the classroom to which assigned including allergies, seizures and medication needs.
3. Protect the safety of others in the group.
4. Assist children in personal grooming including occasional bathing and/or shampooing.
5. Supervise toilet area.
6. Assist children with toileting and cleaning after toilet accidents.
7. Assist children in achieving coordination in physical education activities.
8. Help children learn coordination and social skills.
9. Help small groups of children in the use of crayons, pencils, scissors, puzzles, and with general clean up.
10. Assist children in small groups with work training skill development and in helping children to evaluate and complete their chores.
11. Assist in the preparation of teaching aids and devices.
12. Help prepare room for activities.
13. Confer with teacher in planning and counseling relative to problems being experienced by individual children.
14. Assist children with food preparation and food service and with standards of health and sanitation.
15. May assist or teach children to bowl, swim, skate, or participate in special athletic events.
16. Perform such routine tasks as diaper changing, toileting, lifting children from one place to another; arranging furniture and supplies.
17. Feed children in conjunction with teaching them to hold a cup, swallow, chew, tolerate various textures, identify foods, reach and grasp, and feed themselves.
18. Position and repositions children to stimulate development or relieve or prevent improper pressure.
19. Teach children to crawl, walk, climb, grasp, throw, bend or sit.
20. Teach children to communicate orally and in other ways.
21. Maintain and respect confidentiality of student information.
22. Ride bus with student when needed.
23. Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge of:

• Basic math, reading and interpreting instructions and understanding multiple step instructions
• Problems related to training of trainable special education children
• Personal hygiene practices and procedures
• Safety practices and procedures

Ability to:

• Understand the needs of children and possess a genuine liking for children.
• Communicate with children and motivate them to participate in learning activities.
• Learn to teach in special subject matter areas or to teach children who have special learning needs by watching teachers or specialists.
• Develop and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with diverse groups of children and adults.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Supervise children in the classroom and out-of-doors.
• Perform general clerical tasks and learn the operation of office equipment and devices.
• Provide basic physical care to moderate to severely disabled students.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills related to the scope and responsibility of the position.
• Maintain regular, consistent attendance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

Must demonstrate Highly Qualified status using the following education requirements

• Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent AND any one of the following:
• Completion of two (2) years of higher education study (48 semester units or 72 quarter units)
• Possession of an Associate’s degree or higher degree
• Passage of an approved Paraprofessional Exam or possession of an approved Paraprofessional Certificate.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience working or volunteering with school-aged children

NECESSARY MATERIALS
License:

• Possess a valid and appropriate California Driver's License

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