Special Ed Classroom Assist (Special Education Instruction)

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

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 as required. The role assists students from birth through age 21 with a range of physical, sensory, learning, behavioral, emotional, and mental impairments, in accordance with each student's Individual Education Program (IEP). The assistant reinforces learning, provides individualized tutoring and personal care, helps students with mobility, feeding, daily living skills, and classroom equipment, and supports teachers with classroom records and activities. The position may also involve accompanying students on field trips or to pools and medical clinics, attending job-related training, and responding to certain situations such as student aggression or medical emergencies.

Requirements

Possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The license may be obtained after completing at least 60 semester hours of college credit at an accredited college or university, or by successfully completing 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 through 21.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction.
Ability to complete and maintain basic written reports.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Ability to meet the physical demands of medium work: exert up to 50 pounds 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; and 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 various disabilities in accordance with each student's IEP.
Lift and position non-ambulatory students as directed by the teacher and according to written instructions from the students' personal physicians.
Provide one-on-one tutoring to present or reinforce learning concepts.
Provide personal hygiene services to students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning students.
Arrange and adjust tools, work aids, and equipment for students with orthopedic impairments.
Assist teachers in teaching daily living skills that support independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency.
Accompany students to swimming pools and medical clinics and provide personal assistance they cannot perform themselves.
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 physical restraint techniques to manage violent students.
May administer CPR as directed by the teacher.
May operate audio-visual and photocopying equipment.