Special Ed Classroom Assist (SPED Instruction)

Taleo Social Sourcing•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 and performs related duties as required. The role assists students with a range of disabilities in accordance with their Individual Education Programs (IEPs), providing instructional reinforcement, personal care, mobility assistance, and support with classroom activities and equipment.

Requirements

Possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The license may be obtained after successfully completing at least 60 semester hours of college credit at an institution accredited by the North Central Association or passing a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro).
Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities, English grammar and spelling, and basic mathematics.
Ability to work with and for students with various disabilities from birth through age 21.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions and directions.
Ability to complete and maintain basic written reports.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Meet the stated physical demands of Medium Work: exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly; ability to reach, handle, and finger objects, talk and hear, and use near visual acuity occasionally and far visual acuity frequently.
If the employee does not provide evidence of completed CPR training upon initial employment, CPR training must be completed as a condition of 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 supporting students with physical, visual, hearing, learning, behavioral, emotional, and mental 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 personal hygiene assistance to students with severe disabilities, including toileting, diaper changes, and cleaning soiled students.
Arrange and adjust tools, work aids, and classroom equipment for students with orthopedic impairments, including worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners.
Assist the teacher in teaching daily living skills needed for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency.
Accompany students to swimming pools and medical clinics and provide clothing and personal-care assistance they cannot perform themselves.
Assist students who are unable to feed themselves.
Take classroom notes for students who cannot do so themselves.
Correct homework 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 physical restraint techniques with violent students, administer CPR as directed by the teacher, and operate audio-visual or photocopying equipment.