Special Education Aide

Grand Rapids Public Schools•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Aide is responsible for working as a team member in providing a quality educational program for scholars with disabilities. This role involves assisting in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies for individual and group behavioral management, academic, or transitioning goals. The aide actively participates in building activities, meetings, conferences, IEPs, swimming or pool activities, lunch, community-based instruction, or activities as determined by the building administration or assigned certified teacher. They present lessons, assist in instruction, and help with the selection and preparation of materials. The position also includes assisting with transportation, informing the certified teacher of scholar needs, following through with suggestions from related service providers, and implementing community-based functional instructional programs. Additionally, the aide assists with medical, adaptive daily living, and self-care needs of scholars, including eating, hygiene, toileting, and diapering, as well as lifting and transferring scholars. They also assist in preparing scholars for and participating in pool activities under WSI supervision, and aid in behavioral/academic/vocational interventions. Record keeping and organizational tasks such as attendance, food service records, behavior plan charting, cumulative files, Medicaid billing, and community-based information are also part of the role. The aide interacts professionally with colleagues, administration, scholars, parents, and the community, serving as a positive role model and assisting in arranging the physical setting for conducive learning. Responsibilities extend to supervising school day activities like before and after-school supervision, lunch, recess, and bus loading/unloading to ensure scholar safety. Dependable attendance and punctuality are required, along with performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

Completed a minimum of 60 college credits earned: or Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or Obtained a passing score on an MDE approved ETS Paraprofessional assessment.
Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions.
Must be capable of safely and appropriately restraining scholars, when necessary, in accordance with approved protocols.
Must be able to enter and participate in swimming and/or pool activities with students.
Must be able to provide supervision during field trips, activities, and while transporting students.
Must be able to physically push wheelchairs and assist with lifting and transferring students.
Ability to supervise scholars (observe, listen, assess, react) as needed to ensure a safe environment.
Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work well with others.
Ability to deal with parents, public, and staff members in a tactful and courteous manner.
Ability to work with confidential information.
Ability to work in a diverse environment.
Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

Participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the effectiveness of strategies for individual and group behavioral management, academic or transitioning goals.
Actively participate in building activities, meetings, conferences, IEPs, swimming or pool activities, lunch, community-based instruction, or activities, etc. as determined by the building administration, or assigned certified teacher.
Present lessons, assist in instruction of information and concepts, selection and preparation of materials, establishment of reward systems, as determined by the certified teacher.
Assist with transportation-loading and unloading of buses, city transportation.
Transport small numbers of scholars to activities in school vehicles when necessary.
Inform the certified teacher of any specific needs or concerns regarding the scholars.
Follow through with suggestions by related service providers as directed by the teacher.
Assist in implementing a community based functional instructional program.
Assist in the medical, adaptive daily living, and self-care needs of scholars which could include assisting scholars with eating, hygiene, toileting, and diapering.
Lift and transfer scholars as needed.
Assist in preparing scholars for pool activities and assist in the pool with scholars under WSI supervision.
Assist in behavioral/academic/vocational interventions as needed.
Perform record keeping and organizational tasks as appropriate such as: attendance, food service records, behavior plan charting, cumulative files, Medicaid billing for personal care services, information sent home, community-based information, etc.
Interact with co-workers, administration, scholars, parents, and the community in professional, supportive, and cooperative ways.
Serve as a positive role model.
Assist in arranging and managing the physical setting so that it is conducive to learning.
Assist with the school day activities such as before and after-school supervision, lunch and recess and bus loading and unloading supervision, to ensure the safety of all scholars.
Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
Perform other duties as assigned.