Special Education Instructional Assistant- Middle School - Henry County Public Schools

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of:
Basic subjects taught in the District schools, including arithmetic,
grammar, spelling, language and reading.
Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Basic record-keeping techniques.

2. Ability to:
Learn child guidance principles and practices.
Communicate and maintain effective relationships with students,
parents, staff and the public including members of ethnic
communities.
Perform routine clerical duties in support of classroom activities.
Print and write legibly.
Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Learn procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Learn to apply and explain policies and procedures related to school
and program activities.
Work cooperatively with others.
Monitor, observe and report students behavior according to approved
policies and procedures.
Operate instructional and office equipment.
Learn to provide needed health service(s).
Perform health services to meet unique needs of children. ("Health
Services" means the provision of direct health care, including: the
administration of medication; the operation, maintenance, or health
care through the use of medical equipment; or the administration of
clinical procedures.)

3. Education and Experience:
High school diploma, high school certificate of completion, or G.E.D.
Certificate and some experience in working with children in an
organized setting.

Prior to employment: must have completed at least two years of study
at an institution of higher education, or obtained an associate's or
higher degree, or met a rigorous standard of quality through a formal
state assessment(Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment) and local academic
assessment(TABE test).

4. License and Other Requirements:
Is approved in writing to perform the health procedure/service
according to instructions.

5. Such additional qualifications as the Superintendent or Board may
find appropriate and acceptable.

REPORTS TO: Supervising teacher(s) and the principal

SUPERVISES: N/A

BASIC FUNCTION: Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individual or small groups; monitor and report student progress.

REPRESENTATIVE PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Tutors individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing and implementing instruction as directed by the teacher; maintains records of student progress.

2. Participates as member of an instructional team including remediation teams.

3. Prepares and organizes lessons as directed by the teacher; administers and scores a variety of tests according to established guidelines; assists in determining English proficiency of identified students.

4. Assists in administering diagnostic and other tests; scores and records test information.

5. Monitors and reports behavior of students according to approved procedures; reports progress regarding student performance and behavior; checks and assists students with lab work as necessary.

6. Performs routine clerical duties such as preparation of instructional and classroom materials; operates copy machines; maintains classroom records; maintains attendance records.

7. Provides support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio-visual equipment, operating educational training equipment and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.

8. Assists in overseeing students while in labs; provides for supplies inventory as necessary.

9. Assists students by providing proper examples, emotional support, a friendly attitude and general guidance.

10. Confers, as needed, with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.

11. Contacts parents of students who are absent; makes home visits as necessary.

12. Assures the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and regulations.

13. Directs group activities of students as assigned; assists in monitoring lunchroom and playground activities as assigned; assists in emergency drills, assemblies, play periods and field trips.

14. Participates in meetings and professional development training programs as assigned.

15. Performs needed "health services" for student(s) as assigned by principal.

16. Responsibilities Specific to HCPS Assignment:
A. Serves as the chief source of information and help regarding
assigned student(s) to any substitute teacher assigned in the
absence of the regular teacher.
B. Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and
confidentiality of information about students as is expected of
fully licensed teachers.
C. Assists the student(s) to whom assigned in such physical tasks as
putting on and taking off of outerwear, moving from room to room,
using the lavatory, and so on.
D. Hears the student(s) in recitation, reading, and other curriculum
tasks, guiding and helping them but not teaching them.
E. Performs simple errands and tasks for student(s) such as sharpening
pencils, carrying lunch trays, and the like.
F. Accompanies the student(s) to whom assigned when trips to the
office, to the school nurse, etc. are necessary.
G. Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic
relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging
intense emotional involvement.
H. Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the special
educational department personnel conferring about one of the
students to whom assigned.
I. Performs various office duties in free time such as:
1. Obtains, gathers, and organizes pertinent data as needed and
puts it into usable form.
2. Types a variety of material, such as letters, student records,
reports, memos, etc., from rough drafts or corrected copy.
3. Files correspondence and other records in prescribed manner.
4. Operates machines to reproduce materials as well as other
machines such as paper cutter or hole puncher.

16. Performs such other professional tasks (within reason) as may be assigned by the supervising teacher, the principal, or the Superintendent.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary and work year to be established by the Superintendent and the Board.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Support Services Personnel.