Special Education Assistant - SDC Class

OLD ADOBE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT CLASSIFIED POSITION DESCRIPTION SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT

(SDC and RSP Classroom)

DEFINITION

Under the supervision of the assigned Classroom Teacher, Site Administrator and Director of Student Services, assists, tutors, and trains Special Education students in a classroom or similar learning situation, as directed by the assigned Special Education Teacher, and does related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Special Education Assistant is distinguished from other classes in the Instructional Support series in that incumbents receive direct assignment, supervision, and training from Special Education Teachers, and some general orientation and inservice training from District staff. The individual activities and duties of these positions vary with the particular needs of the "students with special needs" and teacher methods.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assists Special Education Teachers with the presentation of learning materials by tutoring individuals or small groups of "special" students intensively or according to the individual needs of the students, from lesson plans by the Special Education Teacher; Assists with entire class activities as needed; Provides proper examples and caring for the students with special needs; Oversees and supervises students during classroom activities, or other activities planned by the Teacher; Assists in classroom management; Reads to students, explains words and meanings, and provides learning examples; Plans and assists children with arts, cooking and crafts; Assists in in the use of adaptive or other technology use as needed for students to access curriculum or assessments; Teaches children to operate classroom personal computers; Supervises children with special needs on the playground as assigned; Observes and records information about children's behavior and assists with general guidance; Assists in preparation and gathering of materials for lessons or activities; Records scores and keeps data and records as assigned; Assists in a variety of activities related to the daily operations of the classroom such as attendance, and on-campus or off-of campus student activities; Distributes and collects papers, supplies, and materials; Prepares displays and bulletin boards and decorates classrooms as assigned; Uses appropriate measures when dealing with angry or volatile students. Implements lesson plans independently when needed; May assist students in independent skills development; May be required by the District to participate in staff meetings, conferences and specialized training; Performs other related work as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of:

• English language skills including pronunciation, grammar, spelling, reading and writing;
• Methods used in controlling and motivating children;
• Record-keeping and filing;
• Elementary school level arithmetic and math;
• The general goals and purposes of public schools and Special Education.

Ability to:

• Assist children with their language skills;
• Learn methods and procedures to be followed in an instructional situation with students identified as "students with special needs";
• Plan and run arts and crafts activities;
• Work with all elementary grade children;
• Operate and teach use of personal computers;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Communicate effectively with children who have special needs;
• Project a mature, constructive, stable and healthy attitude in a "special needs" learning environment;
• Do simple clerical work and use office machines in the preparation of learning materials;
• Take responsibility for supervising students with special needs;
• Work with children in a calm and patient manner;
• Project a proper example by having maturity, emotional stability, interest in, and understanding of children with special needs;
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform assigned duties;
• Maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties;
• Learn and follow the practices, rules, and regulations of the District and the school to which assigned;
• Maintain the confidentiality of school related information.

EDUCATION

• High School graduate or equivalent
• 48 units from an accredited institution of higher learning, Associate's Degree or higher, or successful completion of the Sonoma County Department of Education Proficiency exam.

EXPERIENCE

Good general background and work history, including demonstrated experience in successfully working with children in a learning environment.

OTHER:

Post Offer/Pre-Placement Physical examination is required prior to hire.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

RESPONSIBLE TO

Assigned Special Education Teacher, Site Principal and Director of Student Services An additional 10% of the hourly salary will be added to the hourly salary if the assistant volunteers to perform any of the following required duties as noted in a classroom student's IEP and after receiving annual training by the school nurse or other medically qualified professionals:

• Assistance with feeding, toileting, dressing and independent living skills;
• Administration of prescribed medication to students as necessary;
• Performance of specialized medical procedures such as catheterization and tube feeding as necessary;
• Physically restraining students (as per SELPA guidelines).

Job Type:

Part-time Pay:

$21.49 - $26.13 per hour

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person