Special Education Aide (1:1 Student Support) @ Bluebonnet Elementary

The Lockhart ISD Mission

The mission of Lockhart Independent School District is to cultivate innovative learners and empower bold leaders who are prepared for a future yet to be imagined.

Lockhart's Leaders

Across Lockhart ISD, each of our leaders are guided by three core themes embodied in our leadership definition and their corresponding behaviors:

• Having a Lock“heart” for People which is focused on developing one's relational capacity;
• Unlocking Potential which is centered on the development and empowerment of both the self and others; and,
• Being Locked on Excellence which means that every person will have a relentless pursuit for results

Primary Purpose

Provide individualized support to an assigned student with disabilities throughout the school day to promote access to instruction, participation in school activities, safety, and increasing independence. Assist with the student's instructional, communication, behavioral, social, physical, and personal care needs as specified in the individualized education program (IEP) and applicable student support plans. Work under the general supervision of the principal and immediate direction of a certified special education teacher. Follow guidance from related service providers and the school nurse, as appropriate to assigned duties.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

High school diploma or GED

Valid Texas educational aide certificate upon hire

Complete district-required training and student-specific training necessary to perform assigned duties safely and effectively.

Special Knowledge/Skills

? Ability to work effectively with a student with disabilities and respond to individual learning, communication, behavioral, and physical needs

? Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and implement teacher-directed instructional activities and student support plans

? Ability to use positive behavior supports, redirection, and de-escalation strategies

? Ability to support student independence, self-advocacy, and appropriate interactions with peers and adults

? Ability to collect accurate data and communicate observations objectively

? Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect student dignity and privacy

? Ability to learn and safely use assistive technology, communication systems, adaptive equipment, and personal care procedures required for the assignment

? Knowledge of basic computer applications and general office equipment

Experience

Some experience working with children

Experience supporting children with disabilities or providing individualized student assistance preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Individualized Instructional Support

• 1. Provide dedicated 1:1 assistance to the assigned student across school settings and activities, consistent with the student's IEP, support plans, and teacher direction.
• 2. Reinforce instruction and conduct learning activities prepared or assigned by the certified teacher. Assist the student with accessing materials, beginning and completing tasks, following routines, and participating in instruction.
• 3. Implement assigned accommodations, modifications, visual supports, schedules, and prompting strategies under teacher direction.
• 4. Support the student's use of assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication systems as directed by the teacher and appropriate service providers.
• 5. Promote independence by providing the level of assistance needed and reducing prompts according to teacher direction and the student's support plans. Encourage the student to make choices, communicate needs, and complete tasks as independently as possible.
• 6. Facilitate participation with classmates, appropriate peer interactions, and inclusion in classroom and school activities.
• 7. Prepare, organize, and maintain materials and equipment needed for the assigned student. Complete related clerical tasks without interrupting required student support.

Student Supervision and School Participation

• 8. Accompany and support the assigned student throughout the school day, including arrival, dismissal, classroom instruction, transitions, meals, restroom routines, recess, electives, assemblies, and other school activities, as required by the student's plans.
• 9. Maintain the level of supervision and proximity specified in the student's plans and staff directions. Follow established procedures for safety concerns, including leaving assigned areas without supervision.
• 10. Assist with transportation transitions, boarding, and exiting vehicles as assigned. Provide transportation-related support when included in the assignment and after required training.
• 11. Coordinate with the teacher or administrator to ensure a trained staff member assumes responsibility for required student support during employee breaks, absences, or other interruptions. Communicate relevant information during each handoff.
• 12. Participate in field trips and other school-sponsored activities as assigned to support the student's access, participation, and safety.

Behavioral and Social Support

• 13. Implement the student's behavior intervention plan, positive behavior supports, reinforcement procedures, and crisis or safety plan as directed by the teacher and designated staff.
• 14. Recognize signs of frustration, distress, or escalation; use taught prevention and de-escalation strategies; and promptly request assistance when needed.
• 15. Support development of communication, emotional regulation, social interaction, and replacement behavior skills through strategies identified by the student's team.
• 16. Follow district emergency procedures and applicable requirements governing crisis intervention. Use physical restraint only in an emergency permitted by law and in accordance with required training and district procedures. Restraint must not be used for discipline, routine behavior management, or gaining compliance.
• 17. Promptly report safety concerns and behavioral incidents to designated staff and complete required documentation accurately and within established timelines.

Physical Assistance and Personal Care

• 18. Assist with personal care needs, which may include toileting, diapering, hygiene, dressing, feeding, and other daily living activities, according to the student's needs, established procedures, and completed training. Protect the student's dignity and privacy.
• 19. Assist with mobility, positioning, transfers, and use of wheelchairs or other adaptive equipment using approved techniques, equipment, and additional staff assistance when required.
• 20. Follow student-specific health and emergency plans. Observe and promptly report changes in the student's condition to the teacher and school nurse.
• 21. Perform health-related tasks only when appropriately trained, authorized, and delegated or supervised by the school nurse or other qualified professional, as applicable.
• 22. Follow infection prevention procedures, standard precautions, and requirements for personal protective equipment.

Documentation and Communication

• 23. Collect and maintain teacher-designated data on student participation, progress toward IEP goals, behavior, independence, and personal care or other assigned supports.
• 24. Keep the supervising teacher informed of student progress, concerns, changes in needs, and the effectiveness of assigned strategies.
• 25. Collaborate with general and special education teachers, related service providers, campus staff, and the school nurse to implement consistent student supports.
• 26. Participate in student planning meetings and ARD committee meetings when requested. Provide objective observations and data to support team decisions.
• 27. Communicate with parents or guardians as directed by the supervising teacher and in accordance with district procedures.

Other

• 28. Maintain confidentiality of student, family, and staff information.
• 29. Participate in required staff development, student-specific training, faculty meetings, and other assigned meetings.
• 30. Assist with maintaining a safe, orderly learning environment and the care and inventory of assigned materials and equipment.
• 31. Provide student-specific procedural information to authorized substitute or relief staff under teacher or administrator direction.
• 32. Perform other related duties as assigned, provided required support for the assigned student is maintained.

Assignment Expectations

The assigned student's required support is the primary responsibility of this position. Classroom assistance and other duties must be coordinated so they do not interrupt that support.

The employee's assignment may change based on student needs and district staffing decisions. Changes in assignment must preserve implementation of required IEP services and supports.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Equipment Used

Personal computer, copier, instructional and audiovisual equipment, assistive technology, communication devices, and student-specific adaptive equipment. May include wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts, ramps, transfer equipment, positioning equipment, and personal protective equipment. Equipment use requires appropriate training.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Maintain emotional control under stress and sustained attention to the assigned student's needs and safety. Adapt to changes in routines and respond calmly to challenging situations.

Frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, and pulling. May require lifting, transferring, or positioning the student using approved techniques, appropriate equipment, and additional staff assistance. Physical requirements vary according to the assignment.

Work in classrooms and other campus settings, outdoors, and during assigned school activities. Potential exposure to bodily fluids, bacteria, communicable diseases, and student behaviors that may present a risk of injury. Follow district safety procedures and use required protective equipment.

Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.