Employment Type : Full-Time
Purpose of Job
The purpose of this job is to perform as Educational Assistant-Special Ed in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. Duties and responsibilities include assisting special Education teachers with classroom instruction, individual instruction, checking students’ work under the direction of the teacher, sorting and filing and loading/unloading children from the bus. Reports to Principal.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Assists with classroom instruction and individual student instruction; prepares instructional materials and helps modify materials to fit individual needs in general and/or special education settings
Assists students in any school setting environment necessary to meet student needs.
Assists with yearly inventory of books, computers and supplies. Stores items at the end of the year.
May conduct classes in teacher’s absence or in case of emergency, with the understanding that all information shared is through re-teaching and not sharing new information. All new material is considered direct teaching and should be done by the certified classroom teacher.
Supervises students under teacher direction or supervision.
Escorts students to and from classroom for lunch and various activities, including, but not limited to work programs and field trips.Assists with drill and practice, group projects, seat work; make-up work and any necessary assignments. This may be done through small groups and/or inclusion general education settingsMay perform clerical duties such as filing if time permits. The top priority for the role of an Educational Assistant is to work directly with students. A student should never be left without service for an EA to perform clerical duties. In addition, staffing is based on student service needs, so such duties would be incidental in nature and not planned in a schedule.
May take attendance and prepare absentee report.
May set up individual workstations and assign students to those stations.
May perform various other classroom tasks such as writing notes and reminders to parents, photocopying and making copies for teachers, and taking notes for teachers regarding students.
May assist with keeping students clean; may feed, diaper and change clothing; may help in minor medical situations such as assisting with seizures and monitoring self-administration of medication.
May consult and assist with general education teachers regarding student needs in their classroom setting. .
Assists with loading/unloading student buses; may assist with securing wheelchairs on buses for fieldtrips.
Additional Job Functions
Performs other duties as required.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Must meet the highly qualified standards for Paraprofessionals. High School Diploma (or Equivalent) required, completion of two years of study (48 semester hours) at an institution of higher education; or obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or passing score of 456 on the ParaProAssessment.
(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and / or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to constantly to move objects. Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machines and equipment such as computers, printers, typewriters, facsimile machine, binding machine, television and VCR, tape recorders, photocopiers, opaque projectors, laminators, transparency machine, paper cutter, etc. Must be physically able to work, move or carry objects or materials. Essential physical requirements of the job include: Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion. Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium. Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees. Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time. Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion. Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling. Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.
DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, technical, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, Includes giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants.
LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires the ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures related to job of Educational Assistant-Special Ed. Requires the ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and a well-modulated voice.
INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to the job of Educational Assistant-Special Ed.
VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information to supervisors and elected officials; to explain procedures and policies; and to follow verbal and written instructions, guidelines and objectives.
NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages; determine time and weight, and utilize statistical inference.
FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape visually with office equipment.
MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using office equipment.
MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
COLOR DISCRIMINATION: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people (i.e. staff, supervisors, general public, and elected officials) beyond giving and receiving instructions such as in interpreting departmental policies and procedures. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency related to job of Educational Assistant-Special Ed
PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: May require the ability to talk or communicate through signing; (talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words or sign).
ATTENDANCE: A regular and dependable level of attendance is an essential function for this position.
KNOWLEDGE OF JOB
Has considerable knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the School System, Special Ed and classroom practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the job of Educational Assistant-Special Ed. Has considerable knowledge of classroom practices as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities. Knows how to develop and administer operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of specific duties of the department. Knows how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities. Is able to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the department. Is able to assemble information and made written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner. Has good organizational, human relations, and technical skills. Is able to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision when necessary. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers.
The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School System may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.