DEFINITION: The Paraeducator, Special Education, under the direction of an assigned supervisor, provides instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated mild, mild/moderate, moderate, moderate/severe or Early Childhood special education instructional program; performs a variety of support activities related to behavior management and classroom instruction of special education students; performs a variety of clerical support duties related to classroom activities. CLASSROOM AIDES: Mild/Moderate (M/M): Assist the teacher with instruction in a special education class. Students in M/M programs work primarily on academics. Additional responsibilities could include assisting the teacher with student behavior and/or health and personal care. Moderate/Severe (M/S): Assist the teacher with instruction in a special education class. Students in M/S programs work primarily on daily living skills and a modified curriculum. Additional responsibilities could include assisting the teacher with student behavior and/or health and personal care. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE AIDES: Special circumstance aides assist teachers of special education students in special education classes, regular education classes, or a combination of both. Responsibilities include assisting the teacher with student behavior, health and personal care and/or instruction in any of their educational settings. ESSENTIAL DUTIES: • Provides instructional support and assistance to teachers and students assigned to a designated mild, mild/moderate, moderate, moderate/severe or Early Childhood special education instructional program; communicates with teachers regarding the individual needs of special education students. • Provides instructional assistance to individual or groups of special education students in a special class or when they are mainstreamed into regular classrooms or out in the community; assists special and general education students when they are mainstreamed during classroom activities and various other activities as directed; assists students with meeting the goals and objectives of their Individual Education Plan. • Reinforces instruction to students with learning disabilities and language, communication and behavioral problems; confers with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet the individual needs of special education students. • Performs a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and duplicating instructional materials. Scoring papers and recording grades; assists in keeping attendance; prepares and maintains student records and files as necessary. • Assists assigned teacher with the implementation of lesson plans; assists in administering, proctoring, scoring tests and papers and charting student progress; modifies materials and explains instructions and words. • Observes and controls behavior of students according to approved procedures; reports progress regarding student performance and behavior. • Provides support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating office and classroom equipment and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials. • Directs group activities of students as needed; assists in monitoring recesses, assemblies and playground activities; accompanies students on field trips. • Assists student with developing self-help, toileting, personal hygiene, social and communication skills. • Maintains an orderly, attractive and positive learning environment; assures the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; administers basic first aide and dispenses medications as necessary. • Operates a variety of classroom and office equipment including a typewriter, VCR, copier, fax machines, computer and laminator. • Performs related tasks as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of: • Concepts and principles of child development and behavioral characteristics. • Problems and concerns of students with special needs. • Behavior management strategies and techniques utilized with students exhibiting atypical social behaviors. • Basic subjects taught in District schools including arithmetic, reading, writing, grammar and spelling. • Safe practices in classroom activities. • Basic instructional methods and techniques. • Appropriate English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. • Interpretive skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. • Maintaining confidentiality of student records. • Basic record-keeping techniques. • Operation of a variety of office and classroom equipment. • Health regulations and safe working methods and procedures. • Proper lifting techniques. • District policies, rules and regulations. Ability to: • Assist a certificated teacher with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment. • Perform clerical duties related to classroom activities. • Monitor, observe an report student behavior and progress according to approved policies and procedures. • Reinforce instruction to individual or small groups of students as directed by the teacher. • Understand and relate to children with special needs. • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. • Observe health and safety regulations • Work cooperatively with others. • Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Education/Training/Required Certification: • High school graduate or equivalent. • Some experience working with children in an organized setting. • Specialized training or coursework in childcare, child behavior, psychology, or teaching and related fields desirable. • Current First Aid/CPR certification. • Bilingual desirable. • Some college or AA degree desirable. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and talk and/or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk or sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Work conditions may include exposure to fumes, dust, odors, cleaning agents and chemicals. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.