Instructional Aide - Exceptional Learning/Special Education Applied Skills Rm

SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The primary responsibility for the Instructional Assistant is direct involvement with students with unique needs in the school setting. Job duties range from supporting students in the classroom and throughout the school building to assisting with functional and self management skills.  This position will deal with parents, students and staff on a regular basis and will be expected to interact with others in a professional, friendly, and organized manner.

STARTING SALARY: $17/hr

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
* Must meet all Indiana requirements as a highly qualified Instructional Assistant.
* Two years of college or the equivalent is required in order to provide instruction to a student. 
* Teaching license and/or educational training and experience preferred.

The responsibilities and duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Each essential function is mandatory to perform this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
1. Provide instruction assistance to students with direction and guidance of teacher and/or facilitator.
2. Work with individual students or small groups for the purpose of practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
3. Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress.
4. Provide supervision and support for individual students inside and outside the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities.
5. Work with other professionals, such as speech therapists, social workers, counselors, occupational and physical therapists.
6. Assist classroom teachers with documenting and maintaining student records including data collection methods.
7. Support students with functional skills needs or behavioral concerns and assist them in developing appropriate social skills.
8. Utilize de-escalation strategies to prevent behaviors that could be harmful to self or others.
9. Be a part of the crisis team for the classroom and building to support appropriate Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI).
10. Perform health related student needs as trained by the nurse in the building.
11. Perform utility needs associated with students' needs for bathroom usage, changing of clothing due to soiling, or other needs associated with the physical well-being of the students.
12. Support escorting throughout the building and to and from the bus as necessary.
13. Assist in classroom management.
14. Assist with the administration and scoring of student assessments.
15. Assist with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
16. Function as an appropriate role model for children, providing proper examples, emotional support, and a friendly attitude and general guidance.
17. Respond to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving student safety concerns and reporting those concerns to the direct supervisor.
18. Keep teachers and/or specialists informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
19. Complete other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the director, building administrator or administrator designee.
20. On occasion, may be asked to work outside of typically scheduled days/hours.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
1. Demonstrate interpersonal skills necessary to deal professionally and effectively with persons at all levels to develop and maintain productive relationships with all publics.
2. Work cooperatively with teachers, students, and staff.
3. Ability to learn new skills quickly and assimilate into daily work.
4. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality both inside and outside the corporation.
5. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
6. Ability to multi-task with attention to detail.
7. Ability to learn classroom procedures and expectations and apply them on a consistent basis.
8. Demonstrate organizational and time management skills.
9. Perform all other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (includes equipment, hours, physical demands)
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.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is protected from outside weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. There are no environmental hazards indicated for this position.

Equipment: This position is required to maintain a working knowledge of all classroom equi