ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Assist certificated staff by providing benchmark (grade level), strategic, and/or intensive academic support to individuals or small groups of special education students in a classroom setting, job site and/or community based program; confer with certificated staff concerning lesson plans and site materials to meet student needs; assist with the implementation of lesson plans and instructional activities; observe and track academic progress and behavior of students and provide updates to assigned teacher.
Facilitate the access of environmental information usually gained through vision that is unavailable or incomplete to visually impaired students; promote the development and/or use of receptive and expressive communication skills by visually impaired students.
Adapt instructional materials for use by visually impaired students; transcribe printed materials and oral instruction into Braille; overwrite Braille materials into print; utilize specialized assistive technology equipment and Braille software designed for students with visual impairments.
Monitor and assist visually impaired students at varying levels of ability with completing assignments and educational activities; explain and ensure student understanding of classroom assignments and homework instructions; administer and monitor students during tests.
Observe and control behavior of visually impaired students in the classroom according to approved procedures; enforce appropriate student behavior and ensure student understanding of classroom rules; monitor students during outdoor activities, recess, eating, field trips, job site visits and various other activities as assigned; assist students by answering questions and by providing proper examples and behavioral guidance.
Assist visually impaired students with performing and developing daily living and behavioral skills; assist students with eating activities, including tube feeding as needed; toilet students and change diapers and soiled clothing of students at all age levels (i.e. ages 3 to 22) as needed; assist students with personal hygiene such as bathing and grooming; assist with lifting and moving students.
Assist certificated staff in the implementation of Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P.) by assisting visually impaired students with meeting IEP goals and objectives, monitoring student progress, and adapting, accommodating and modifying classroom and homework assignments to meet individual student needs and reinforce learning activities.
Accompany and assist visually impaired students in mainstreamed classes as assigned without disrupting classroom activities; take notes for students as needed; escort students to and from buses and classes; push student wheelchairs and assist with walkers; lift students in and out of wheelchairs; and assist students on and off buses.
Support certificated staff by assisting visually impaired students with physical therapy, developing motor skills, positioning and related exercises, utilizing adaptive equipment, and developing independent walking and mobility skills; assist and interact with students during physical education activities.
Assist visually impaired students in a work transition program with the development of social, vocational, communication, etiquette and job searching skills; provide job coaching; assist students with utilizing public transportation; adapt work/job site to student abilities; ensure employers of student understanding and ability to perform job tasks.
Provide classroom support by setting up work areas and displays, and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials.
Ensure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; maintain classroom and other assigned areas in a safe, orderly and clean manner.
Provide medical assistance and health care to special education students as assigned; administer first aid and CPR according to established procedures as needed; assist students with other health care activities as required.
Assist students with operating computers and utilizing software and internet applications.
Perform a variety of clerical duties in support of classroom activities such as preparing, typing, duplicating and filing instructional materials, scoring student tests and assignments, recording grades and taking and recording attendance, and maintaining various records related to student progress reports, IEP goals, and behavioral tracking; assist with scheduling meetings, appointments and services as assigned.
Attend and participate in various meetings, conferences and in-services as assigned
OTHER DUTIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Methods of supporting a visually impaired student in an educational environment.
Basic Braille literary code and transcription methods.
Mathematics, language arts and other academic subjects.
Methods of addressing and correcting student behavior.
Guidance principles and practices related to instruction for students with special education needs.
Problems and concerns of students with special needs.
Safe practices in classroom activities.
Subjects taught in District elementary or secondary schools.
Basic instructional methods and techniques.
Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct.
Operation of standard office and classroom equipment including a computer and assigned software.
Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Record-keeping and filing techniques.
First aid and CPR procedures.
ABILITY TO:
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Develop and maintain a trusting and interactive relationship with students.
Take initiative in beginning tasks and following them through to completion.
Use critical thinking and innovation to solve problems.
Handle stressful situations with tact and professionalism.
Work interactively as a team member.
Adapt to a variety of situations and environments.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward special education students.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Operate standard office and classroom equipment including a computer and assigned software.
Lift and carry students as assigned by position.
Demonstrate ability to be dependable.
