Special Ed Classroom Assistant

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

66d

About The Position

Under the general direction of the school principal, and under the immediate supervision of a Special Education teacher holding a valid teaching certificate directly engaged in teaching subject matter or conducting activities, assists in the instruction of disabled students; and performs related duties as required.

Requirements

Completion of an Associate's degree from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or another regional accrediting body, or the successful completion of at least sixty (60) semester hours of college credit at a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or another regional accrediting body, including at least one course in the characteristics of mental retardation and severe/profound disabilities, or the successful completion of a state approved paraprofessional assessment, supplemented by at least one year of work experience involving the care and supervision of children with disabilities.
Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities
Good knowledge of English grammar and spelling
Good knowledge of basic mathematics
Ability to work with and for students with various disabilities, ages birth to twenty-one (21) years of age
Ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction
Ability to complete and maintain basic written reports
Individuals who do not provide evidence of the completion of training in CPR at the time of initial employment in this class title will complete CPR training as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly desirable.
Good oral and written communication skills
Skill in the operation of photocopying and audio-visual equipment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Assists Special Education teachers in elementary and high schools in reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities, including physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional impairments, and mental impairments in accordance with each students' Individual Education Program (IEP)
Lifts and positions non-ambulatory students during the school day as instructed by the teacher and in adherence to written instruction from students' personal physicians
Provides one-on-one tutoring services for students to present or reinforce learning concepts
Provides one-on-one personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning soiled children regardless of age
Assists students with orthopedic impairments by arranging and adjusting tools, work aids, and equipment used by students in classrooms, including but not limited to specially equipped worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners
Assists teacher in instructing students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency
Accompanies students to swimming pools and medical clinics to assist in removing clothing and performing other personal services which students are unable to perform themselves
Assists in feeding students unable to do so themselves
Takes notes in classrooms for students unable to do so themselves
Corrects homework assignments and examination materials
Assists teachers in maintaining written records of students' behavior
Accompanies students and teachers on class field trips
Attends and participates in workshops and in service training to update job related skills
May utilize aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students
May administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as directed by the teacher
May operate audio-visual equipment
May operate photocopying equipment