SPED Instructional Assistant

Cityscape Schools•Dallas, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides staff support in an educational classroom performing paraprofessional work in assisting teachers and students with special education students. Works with children individually or in small groups providing instruction in reading, writing, math, spelling, art, or other education-related activity or supervises a variety of developmentally appropriate child care activities. Work is performed under the direction of a teacher.

Requirements

48 hours of college credit hours required
or a high school diploma or equivalent
Valid Texas driver’s license
Knowledge of Cityscape Schools mission, philosophy, culture, protocol, and organizational structure
Knowledge of effective and efficient methods for organizing and maintaining records and ability to perform the same
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws governing education
Knowledge of office machines and classroom equipment
Knowledge of basic remedial teaching methods and techniques
Knowledge of classroom methods and procedures
Knowledge of techniques for dealing with aggressive students
Knowledge of child growth and development and developmentally appropriate practices
Knowledge of behavior management principles
Knowledge of record keeping principles and practices
Knowledge of the use of specific computer applications involving word processing, data entry, and standard report generation
Knowledge of techniques for securing cooperation of students and arousing interest in learning activities
Ability to develop and maintain an empathetic attitude toward disabled students
Ability to learn specialized instructional and management techniques with disabled students as needed
Ability to use routine word processing software and familiarity with basic computer operations
Ability to assist students in remediation studies
Ability to use initiative and judgment during both indoor and outdoor activities to ensure the safety of the students
Ability to recognize symptoms of abuse and documenting and reporting observations
Ability to cultivate and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of people and remain sensitive to their concerns
Ability to present a positive and professional image of Cityscape Schools
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, parents, students, and the community
Ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior
Ability to meet attendance requirements
Ability to read, write, and communicate the English language effectively
Duties performed typically in school settings to include: classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria; auditorium, and recreational areas
Frequent walking, standing, stooping, lifting, up to approximately 30 pounds, and occasional lifting of equipment and/or materials weighing up to approximately 40 pounds may be required
Other limited physical activities may be required
Occasional travel with students on field trips may be necessary
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
The worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise and hazards
Occasional movement of students by wheel chairs and other mechanical devices may be required

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field preferred

Responsibilities

Effectively utilizes school technologies appropriate to the position and assumes responsibility for attending all training needed to successfully perform designated responsibilities as directed by the Principal
Maintains regular attendance
Complies with Federal and State law and school policies and regulations
Maintains a safe environment for students, conducive to learning
Assist in the supervision of learning activities by providing assistance and learning support to students in special education
Assists and carries out instructional plans as designated by the ARC Committee and if appropriate the student’s Individual Educational Plans (IEP)
Assists in the personal hygiene of students including toileting, diapering, feeding, and care giving; assists in teaching self-help skills involving personal hygiene and recreational and leisure skills
Provides instruction to students as prescribed by the supervising teacher and reinforces skills introduced by the teacher
Assists teachers in checking and objectively evaluating student’s work
Works with students individually and in small groups reinforcing skills based upon instructional guidelines
Help physically disabled students according to their needs, including but not limited to, transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting or positioning
Assists in managing student behavior and maintaining classroom order and reinforces rules of the school and classroom which includes handling crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed
Take responsibility for learning and conforming to each student’s special needs, physical, communicative and emotional needs
Escorts students to time out and/or the principal’s office
Assists in the preparation of lesson plans and teachers’ pre-planning sessions
Prepares or assists in the preparation of instructional materials
Assists in preparing classroom bulletin boards, classroom decorations, displays of student activities
Prepares instructional reports and complete required forms, schedules, and other data as required
Performs a variety of clerical tasks such as typing, copying, stapling, filing, assembling and locating materials, laminating, etc.
Help monitor duties in hallways, lunchroom, restrooms, and bus duty
Models citizenship and lessons for students
Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
Reports any pertinent information to the Principal in case of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse
Assists in the control of student behavior in agreement with the student handbook
Create and maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents and community members to support the success of a diverse student population
Models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions
Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities
Enrich job skills through continuing education and professional development activities and assumes responsibility for professional growth and keeps materials, supplies, and skills up- to-date