Special Education Developmental Preschool Assistant 24/25 SY

SUMMARY Performs any combination of the following instructional tasks to assist teaching staff of elementary or secondary school students (preschool through 22 years of age). Other duties may also be assigned by the teacher, principal, and/or Director of Special Education or designee. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Collaborates with classroom teacher to coordinate instructional support responsibilities. Under a teacher's supervision, plans, prepares and develops various teaching aids, such as study guides, charts and visual auditory supports. Under a teacher's supervision, presents subject matter information to students, utilizing a variety of teaching methods and techniques. Administers and grades tests and assessments. Assists students individually or in groups, with academic assignments and social skills to reinforce learning. Supports activities of daily living may include toileting, feeding. Physically restrain a student in therapeutic holds only after participating in nonviolent crisis intervention training. Utilize de-escalation verbal interventions techniques with students. Provides supervision, participation and instruction for students in Community Based Instruction on public transportation, on job sites, and recreational activities, which could include aquatic activities, therapeutic horseback riding, challenge courses, etc. Monitors students in the classroom, cafeteria, on the playground and in the community. (May need to guide play and intervene with behavior.) Instructs students in language development and alternate communication systems Assists with getting students on and off the bus. Adapts curriculum and modify assignments for students attending general education classes under teacher directive. Attends work daily and demonstrate punctuality. Follow the Indianapolis Public Schools policies on attendance and tardiness. Provides support for students as planned by professional staff (teachers, OT, PT, social workers, etc.) Follows team prescribed procedures for academic, social, communication, and behavioral intervention plans. Communicates respectfully and works collaboratively with all students, families, and school staff. Participates in professional development in-services and training. Provides short-term coverage for professional and other classroom assistants. Special Education floaters must have reliable transportation and be willing to go to all IPS schools and work with students of all ages and ability levels. CONFIDENTIALITY Demonstrate strict standards of confidentiality, following the guidelines of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Associates Degree or sixty semester hours of college credit or successful completion of the ParaPro Assessment test. Basic computer skills helpful. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence, record data. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students and staff of the organization. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or lesson plan format. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to deal with problems responsibly and effectively. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS None PHYSICAL DEMANDS The ability to push a wheelchair The ability to walk with students in/around school neighborhood, to bus stops, and in the community. The ability to interact with students on the floor and assist in a variety of therapeutic positions. Participate in "2-person lifts" for students who weigh more than 90 lbs. Ability to write, copy and comprehend oral and visual information in order to support students 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 this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and/or walk for 30 minutes continuously. The employee is occasionally required to sit for 60 minutes continuously; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Some programs may require the employee to participate in specialized activities such as therapeutic horseback riding, swimming activities, ropes courses, etc. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.