Job Description

 

The job of Instructional Assistant II for Special Education was established for the purpose/s of assisting in the supervision and instruction of special needs students in the general education or special education classroom under the supervision of a certified special education teacher; observing and documenting student progress; implementing plans for instruction and behavior, and providing clerical support to the teacher. The Instructional Assistant II reports to the special educator or the school-based administrator.

 

Individuals hired into this role will join the George Washington University-ACPS Special Education Residency Cohort. This program combines enrollment into a Special Education Graduate degree program at GWU and employment within ACPS. While in their first year of the program, graduate students will work as ACPS instructional assistants to develop key instructional strategies, learn best practices and receive targeted professional learning from both ACPS and GW teams; they will then have the opportunity to move into teacher roles for their second year in the program.

 

Participation is also dependent on acceptance into the GWU Graduate degree program.

 

More information about this program can be reviewed here:  https://www.acps.k12.va.us/departments/school-community-relations/communications/media-relations/press-releases/~board/press-releases/post/alexandria-city-public-schools-acps-announces-partnership-with-the-george-washington-universitys-graduate-school-of-education-and-human-development.

 

Qualifications

 

Education: Bachelor’s degree

 

Certificates & Licenses: CPR and First Aid Certification strongly desired, if selected candidate does not have CPR and First Aid Certification they must be able to obtain both within 6 months of employment.

 

Experience: Job-related experience preferred

 

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the teacher's direction to allow the student to participate in classroom activities.
• Implements intervention strategies and supports (visual aids, prompting strategies, reinforcement systems, communication tools, etc.) as directed by the teacher to address student goals.
• Documents student progress or behavioral observations using objective measures and records data as directed by the teacher.
• Confers with teachers regularly to assist in evaluating student progress and/or implementing IEP goals.
• Implements academic instruction taught by a teacher to meet learning goals, as described by an IEP.
• Implements strategies to maximize practice opportunities for social and communication skills and emotional regulation to promote short and long-term independence as directed by the teacher.
• Implements behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions to meet special education students’ needs and provide a consistent environment.
• Maintains instructional materials and/or student files/records (e.g., adapting instructional materials).
• Accepts feedback from teachers and related service providers to ensure accurate and consistent implementation of educational techniques or strategies.
• Communicates and collaborates to foster a positive learning environment.
• Effectively communicates with adults and students.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations. 
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit. Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the teacher to provide an opportunity for all special education students to participate in classroom activities.
• Assist children with disabilities for the purpose of helping students on and off the bus.  Assist Students for the purpose of helping students with breakfast, lunch, snack, clean-up, lavatory, clothing, personal hygiene, and wash-up. 
• Confers with teachers on a regular basis for the purpose of assisting in evaluating special education student progress and/or implementing IEP objectives. 
• Implements academic instruction taught by a special education teacher for individuals or small groups for the purpose of meeting learning goals as described by an IEP and/or district benchmarks.
• Implements behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior challenges or other special conditions for the purpose of assisting in meeting special education students' needs and providing a consistent environment. 
• Instructs special education students (e.g. math groups, science experiments, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills, writing, verbal skills, etc.) for the purpose of implementing goals for remediation of student deficiencies and ensuring students' success. 
• Maintains instructional materials and/or student files/records (e.g. adapting instructional materials, student files, checking papers, attendance, audiovisual equipment, set up art/science projects, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information. 
• Monitors special education students (e.g. lunch, playground, during life enrichment activities, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment. 
• Performs record keeping (daily data on instruction and/or behavior) and clerical functions (e.g. correcting papers, copying, instructional materials, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the teacher in providing necessary records/materials. 
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities. 
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions. 
• Responds to emergency situations (e.g. injured student, fights, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.  

Training Requirement

 

• The Virginia Board of Education as directed by the 2012 General Assembly requires that instructional assistants assigned to work with a teacher who has primary oversight of a student with autism spectrum disorders must receive training in student behavior management within 60 days of the assignment. The Special Education Instructional Assistant II will be provided with the opportunity to participate in online instructional modules for meeting this requirement at no cost to the employee. 

Clearances

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Proof of COVID vaccination. Exemptions for religious/medical will be reviewed.
• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP