Assistant- Special Education (Elevate)

Pay Grade: 725 (Min $17.26 per hr) Work Days: 183 ELEVATE | Alternate Curriculum (Campus Based ECS-12) The Elevate classroom serves students requiring specially designed instruction (SDI) at the prerequisite level beyond what can be provided in a general education or resource classroom. Students receive the majority of their core academic instruction in the Elevate setting. This classroom is designed to address functional academics, social skills, communication, self-advocacy, daily-living skills, and independent or interdependent living skills. Student schedules are individualized and inclusion in the general education classroom is based on the individual student.

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

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