Instruction Aide - Blind School

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio State School for the Blind seeks an Instruction Aide to support students who are diverse learners, including students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and/or have multiple disabilities. The aide assists teachers with academic instruction, vocational and daily living skills, student safety and well-being, behavior and discipline, adaptive technology, language enrichment, meals, transportation, and continuing scheduled instruction when a teacher is absent.

The role also supports lesson preparation and technology integration; creates and prepares instructional media; operates and helps maintain classroom equipment and software; assists with documentation and preparation for IEP meetings; participates in conferences, student evaluation sessions, and interdisciplinary meetings; and performs clerical duties related to instruction. The position follows the school-year calendar and is permanent, full-time, with a Monday–Friday schedule of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The posting notes that evenings and/or weekends may be required and that work may take place outdoors or involve exposure to aggressive or unpredictable behavior, human waste, and infectious diseases.

Requirements

• Possess a current Educational Aide Permit issued by the State Board of Education.
• Have 12 months of experience in teaching assistance.
• Obtain CPR and first aid certification within one year of hire.
• If transporting students, obtain appropriate van certification.
• Renew the Educational Aide Permit in accordance with State Board of Education rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers with academic instruction, vocational skills, and daily living skills through tutoring and individual or group lessons.
• Ensure students’ safety and well-being; address educational, emotional, physical, or personal needs; monitor behavior, discipline, assignments, and compliance with established rules and IEPs.
• Support students in using adaptive technology and provide language enrichment or language-deprivation mediation as needed.
• Accompany and assist students during meals and facilitate transportation arrangements, including escorting students and transporting them for medical trips, field trips, educational or occupational activities, or residence when needed.
• Carry out teacher-provided lesson plans during a teacher’s absence when necessary to continue scheduled instruction.
• Assist with lesson planning and preparation, including identifying needs with the teacher, assembling materials, setting up the classroom, taking attendance, grading, and preparing accessible equipment.
• Support classroom technology integration; create instructional media; operate devices, equipment, and software; edit audio/video materials; assist with visual lessons; and help maintain and repair equipment.
• Assist the classroom teacher in preparing for IEP meetings by compiling data and feedback and completing documentation, logs, and assessments related to academic and behavioral development and progress.
• Participate in conferences, student evaluation sessions, and interdisciplinary meetings, providing information about student progress and observations.
• Perform clerical tasks related to educational duties, including translating, typing and duplicating lesson plans, maintaining student records, distributing classroom materials, recording attendance, and maintaining classroom supplies.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid vacation, personal and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed