Special Education Assistant - Fall Break Learning Academy

Purpose and Scope

Performs specialized work by assisting fall school teachers in instructing and supervising the activities of students to provide a well-organized, smoothly functioning classroom environment during the fall term. The position is responsible for assisting fall school teachers in preparing instructional materials, preparing classrooms for activities, supervising and assisting children in the classroom and in other areas of the school, reinforcing classroom lessons and providing other assistance as requested; incumbents may be responsible for providing assistance to special needs students or coordinating special projects and programs as assigned. The position works under direct supervision according to set procedures.

Essential Job Functions

Provides assistance to fall school teachers in maintaining a well-organized, smoothly functioning classroom for the benefit of both teachers and students during the fall school classes.

Assists students during fall school with exercises and class activities; concentrates efforts with small groups of students and individuals as necessary.

Compiles, prepares and organizes materials and classroom for instruction and classroom activities.

Assists in cleaning and storing of materials after completion of activities.

Reinforces all knowledge and skills taught by the classroom teacher.

Assists teacher by maintaining student records, recording daily attendance, grading assignments, administering standardized tests, recording and/or analyzing test scores/grades, substituting as needed, setting up special projects, escorting children to other areas of the school, monitoring student behavior, running errands.

Supervises and assists students when unloading and loading buses, in the halls, on field trips, during testing, during lunch, during computer lab, and on school grounds.

May assist students with special needs and/or in need of special attention; provides assistance with daily living routines, skills and concepts including personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, self- feeding; may assist with physical health programs including physical therapy and adjusting special/adaptive equipment for student use; lifts or assists students in and out of special needs equipment as necessary.

Assists in establishing and implementing behavioral objectives. Models appropriate social and play skills; observes students' behavior and notifies teacher and/or school nurse of behavioral changes as appropriate; redirects behavior if possible; may work with individual students to help them adjust behaviorally and academically into mainstream classroom and social situations.

May coordinate and/or participate in special programs or projects as assigned.

Receives and responds to inquiries from parents and others; assists in preparing notes and placing phone calls to parents as necessary.

Attends staff meetings as required; participates in in-service training programs; keeps abreast of developments in areas of assignment.

Performs routine clerical tasks as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and records, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing notices and newsletters, receiving and responding to e-mails

Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree or two (2) years of college (minimum of 48 semester hours) or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment Test and one (1) year of experience working with children in an educational setting preferred. Must possess or be able to obtain certification in CPR and First Aid. Currently working in SCS as an Educational Assistant preferred.

The following special conditions are required: Commitment for the entire period of Fall Break. Attendance at ALL periodic administrative meetings. Availability prior to the end of the regular school assignment to participate in Fall Break setup and preparation. Availability for fall break school closeout operations.

This position is for FALL BREAK LEARNING ACADEMY ONLY.