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, the Special Education Classroom Assistant supports instruction for students with disabilities and performs related duties. The role assists students in elementary and high schools with a range of disabilities, following each student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) and teacher direction. Duties may include instructional support and tutoring, personal care, mobility and positioning assistance, help with classroom equipment and daily living skills, and support during field trips and other activities. The position also supports teachers with student records, homework, and examinations, and participates in workshops and in-service training to maintain job-related skills. The role may involve physically restraining violent students using aggressive management techniques and administering CPR as directed by the teacher. CPR training is a condition of employment for individuals who do not provide evidence of completed training at initial employment.

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 an 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, ages birth to 21 years.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction.
Ability to complete and maintain basic written reports.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Meet the physical requirements of Medium Work: exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects; ability to reach, handle, and finger objects; talk and hear; occasional near visual acuity and frequent far visual acuity.
Complete CPR training as a condition of employment if evidence of completed training is not provided at initial employment.

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 various disabilities 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 one-on-one personal hygiene services, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning students.
Arrange and adjust classroom tools, work aids, and equipment for students with orthopedic impairments, including worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners.
Assist teachers in instructing students in daily living skills for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency.
Accompany students to swimming pools and medical clinics and provide personal assistance they cannot perform themselves, including help removing clothing.
Assist students who cannot feed themselves.
Take classroom notes for students who cannot 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.