PARAEDUCATOR AIDE III
HIGHLY QUALIFIED STATUS (HQ): Individual selected into this position must be Highly Qualified for this assignment. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have completed the following requirements: Completed at least 48 semester hours of credit at an accredited college or university; or, obtained an associate's degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university; or, passed the ParaPro Assessment prepared and administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS) with a score of at least 460.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under supervision, works in a special education classroom assisting teaching staff in a variety of instructional activities. Assists teachers in special education classrooms and provides individual or group assistance depending on student or class's functional living and academic skills and/or behavioral support needed. Incumbent can also provide attendant services to students with various intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Incumbent performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Teacher Aide III works in a special education classroom assisting the teacher and/or a special education student within the general and/or special education classroom, in specific specialized programs such as: CLS (Comprehensive Life Skills), EC (Early Childhood), MA (Multi-Age), SIP (Social Intervention Programs), Strategies (Autism Spectrum Disorders), Social Resource and/or Resource classrooms as well as one-on-one assistance. Additionally, a Teacher Aide III working at a Title I school must be highly qualified.
May act as liaison between general education teachers, resource teachers; previews instructional information when possible and may attend seminars and conferences.
EXEMPLARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Teacher aides may be assigned to a variety of special education programs or individual students who require adult support based upon their IEP's (Individualized Education Program). Duties may include: assist students with intellectual, physical, or behavioral disabilities in boarding and de-boarding buses before and after school; assist students in reaching proper location in school; accompany students into general education classrooms; provide attendant services (diapering, toileting, washing faces, etc.) to students as needed; supports instruction in proper health and hygiene habits; performs delegated procedures such as clean intermittent catheterization, provide emergency and first aid care as necessary; move students weighing 50-80 pounds, daily and repetitively; follows proper safety procedures; prepares and helps feed students as needed; supports instruction in functional life skills; realizes individual needs of students with intellectual, physical and/or behavioral disabilities and modifies general education classroom assignments occasionally; follows behavior plans as outlined in students' IEP's; uses positive behavior management techniques; assists with lesson assignments; reinforces learning concepts to students; maintains discipline and order on the playground, lunchroom, library and classrooms; accompanies students on field trips; arranges and adjusts wheelchairs, oxygen hoses and other equipment as needed; communicates with special education teachers about concerns and/or observations of students; assists in maintaining bulletin boards in the classroom; may assist children with medication when trained; assists in the operation of classroom equipment or students' assistive technology devices; assist in recording student progress towards goals and developing instructional materials and preparing graphs and charts; assists in modification of the general education curriculum; participates in district training programs when requested and receives training in and implements non-violent behavioral intervention procedures; maintains confidentiality regarding student information and records.
When assigned to SPED Programs:
CLS - Comprehensive Life Skills
CLS focuses on building a foundation to success in life while maintaining an academically rich environment that promotes student success with the specific development of critical social, emotional, and cognitive skills. This program assists students with cognitive disabilities to access alternative curriculum aligned with Nevada State Standards; utilizing a variety of modalities (pictures, words, symbols, etc.) enables students to access the environment; utilizes a variety of techniques to illicit student response; aligns IEP goals and outcomes with Alternative Grade Level Indicators (AGLI's).
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Education/Experience: Any education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
- Any experience that would demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities.
Knowledge of: Educational principles and techniques; student behavior and characteristics; basic discipline and positive behavior modification techniques; correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; basic mathematics; current office methods and procedures including filing and records management; common office equipment and its usage; and some knowledge in communication and behavioral strategies. May need to possess various forms of communicating with the deaf through visual means (Signed English, SEE, MSE, PSE, ASI, or CUE); hearing disorders and their effects on learning and behavior; skills taught in the basic subjects included in elementary and secondary school curriculum; record keeping techniques; and computer skills.
Skill at: Securing and maintaining the confidence and cooperation of students; dealing tactfully with students, parents and school personnel; evaluating situations accurately and taking effective action; basic typing/computer skills; spelling correctly; reading, writing and speaking English at a level required for successful job performance; preparing and maintaining accurate and complete records, files and summaries; organizing and distributing instructional materials; making mathematical computations; operating various office equipment; operating and maintaining audio-visual equipment; learning basic operations of communication devices; lifting using appropriate techniques; understanding and carrying out oral and written instructions; using positive behavioral reinforcements; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and moving students weighing as much as 50-80 pounds, daily and repetitively.
Licenses/Certificates: Possession of CPI Certification.
Teacher Aide must also be at least 18 years of age; have at least a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma;
THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.
The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.
