SPED RES/INC Instructional Assistant

Gadsden Independent School District•Vado, NM

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of a teacher or related staff, the SPED RES/INC Instructional Assistant directs and implements IEP-related student activities and helps ensure the safety and well-being of students in Special Education classes and activities related to student learning. The role supports classroom instruction and routines, assists with student supervision across school settings, and helps prepare and maintain classroom materials and displays. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and is evaluated annually by the principal with input from the teacher(s). Applicants must meet one of the stated instructional assistant qualification pathways: earn a passing score of 457 on the ParaPro exam, or complete the specified college-credit requirement, or pass an accepted educational assistant assessment. Candidates must also meet NCLB Highly Qualified requirements. A high school diploma or GED, one to three months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is listed. The job requires patience and acceptance of children with special educational needs, emotional control under stress, and the ability to perform the physical demands of the role. The work environment typically has a moderate noise level. The employee must regularly stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear; frequently stand, walk, handle or feel objects, reach, and climb or balance; and occasionally sit and taste or smell. Frequent lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds is required, and the description also states that the employee must be capable of lifting children as needed.

Requirements

Meet one of the instructional assistant qualification pathways: a passing ParaPro score of 457; at least 48 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university, including the specified subject-area credits; or passage of an accepted Educational Assistant Assessment (ParaPro, ParaEducator, or Basic Skills).
Meet NCLB requirements for Highly Qualified status.
High school diploma or GED; or one to three months of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, percentages, and other figures, and apply basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; write simple correspondence; and present information effectively in one-on-one and small-group situations.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions and address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Patience and acceptance of children with special educational needs, and ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
Capable of lifting children as needed and frequently lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
Ability to meet the physical demands described, including regularly stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; frequently standing, walking, reaching, handling or feeling objects, and climbing or balancing; and occasionally sitting.

Responsibilities

Assist in classroom management routines.
Accompany the teacher on home visits as necessary.
Under the supervision of the teacher, direct IEP-related activities of students.
Under the supervision of the teacher, prepare the classroom for activities.
Assist in preparing class displays and bulletin boards.
Keep equipment and materials used by students clean and in good condition.
Maintain a professional working relationship with employees and students.
Assist the teacher with all classroom activities.
Assist the teacher with supervision of the playground, cafeteria, classroom, bus loading, and other school-related activities.
Participate in in-service activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.