Special Ed Classroom Assist (SPED Instruction)

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Under the general direction of the school principal and the immediate supervision of a certified Special Education teacher who is directly engaged in teaching or conducting activities, the Special Education Classroom Assistant supports instruction for students with disabilities and performs related duties as required. The role assists students across elementary and high school settings, supporting their individual education programs and learning, personal care, mobility, communication, and daily living needs.

Requirements

Possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The license may be obtained after successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of college credit at a North Central Association-accredited college or university, or successful completion of a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro).
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 from birth to 21 years of age.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions and directions.
Ability to complete and maintain basic written reports.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Ability to meet the stated medium-work physical demands: exert up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects; reach, handle, and finger objects; talk and hear; use near visual acuity occasionally and far visual acuity frequently.

Nice To Haves

Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly desirable.
Skill in operating photocopying and audio-visual equipment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Assist Special Education teachers in reinforcing instruction for students with physical disabilities, visual or hearing impairments, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional impairments, and mental impairments, in accordance with each student's IEP.
Lift and position non-ambulatory students as instructed by the teacher and in accordance with written instructions from students' personal physicians.
Provide one-on-one tutoring to present or reinforce learning concepts.
Provide personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning students.
Arrange and adjust classroom tools, work aids, and equipment for students with orthopedic impairments, including specially equipped worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners.
Assist the teacher in teaching daily living skills that support independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency.
Accompany students to swimming pools and medical clinics and provide assistance with clothing and other personal services they cannot perform themselves.
Assist students who are unable to feed themselves.
Take classroom notes for students who are unable to do so themselves.
Correct homework assignments and examination materials.
Assist teachers in maintaining written records of student behavior.
Accompany students and teachers on class field trips.
Attend and participate in workshops and in-service training to update job-related skills.
May use aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students.
May administer CPR as directed by the teacher.
May operate audio-visual and photocopying equipment.