Job Description
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP Texas Public Schools plays a critical role in ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career and beyond. The Special Education Instructional Aide will help support the physical and instructional needs of individual students inside and outside the general education classroom.
DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Work with students in instructional and classroom activities at the direction of the special education and/or general education teacher
Assist with direct academic, functional and/or specifically designed instructional or physical activities
Tutor individual students and help them prepare assignments or explain material they do not understand
Supervise and accompany special education students to the office, bus, classroom, cafeteria, etc.
Communicate regularly with classroom teacher and parents regarding student’s needs and progress
Some positions may require the employee to be able to stay with excessively disruptive or aggressive students during which time the employee may need to restrain, hold, lift, apply physical management techniques, and crisis intervention techniques for the student
Provide clerical support to teachers which may include, but is not limited to, creating photocopies, preparing materials, etc.
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), that LEAs continue to ensure that Instructional Aides performing instructional duties on a Title I, Part A Schoolwide served campus, or those that have at least part of their salary paid for by Title I, Part A on a Targeted Assistance campus, meet the Paraprofessional Highly Qualified requirements.
Unwavering commitment to KIPP Texas mission, students, families, and community
Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with students living in educationally underserved communities
Strong desire to teach an academically intense curriculum and commit to an extended school day, week, and year
Desire to continuously learn and increase effectiveness as a teacher and professional; offer and receive constructive feedback
Willingness to be flexible and to go above and beyond to meet the needs of KIPP Texas students
Prior experience working in inclusion, life skills and/or behavioral support setting (preferred)
Experience working with students or parents as approved by the employing superintendent
Physical and emotional endurance to deal with challenging students; maintain emotional control under stress
Ability to work with students with physical, emotional, and/or intellectual disabilities
Ability to engage in restraints such as hug containment, elbow to hip containment, and two-person containment with middle school students on a regular basis
Ability to lift and position students with physical disabilities or assist students with personal hygiene routines such as toileting, hand washing, feeding, etc.
Knowledge of classroom management and child development techniques and principles
Knowledge of all applicable federal, state, and local laws, guidelines, and procedures
Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Highly Qualified Instructional Aides must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and meet one of the following requirements:
Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (defined as completion of 48 semester hours or equivalent trimester hours) of college coursework or an applicable number of semester hours as defined by the institution of higher education attended, whichever is less;
Possess an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
Meet a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment–
· Knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics; or
· Knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.
The Instructional Aide must also meet the state’s paraprofessional certification exam and requirements. Instructional Aides whose duties consist solely of parent and family engagement activities or translation services are exempt from the qualification requirement.
Additional Information
LOCATION
Houston, TX
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
In addition to a competitive salary scale, a part of KIPP Texas’ competitive benefits options, KIPP offers all employees an $0 HMO plan for the employee only. In addition to our $0 plan, KIPP provides a $600 employer contribution towards a Health Savings Account and a variety of other supplemental benefits such as Dental, Vision, Short and Long-Term Disability, Pet Insurance, Life, etc.
FUNDING:
The Special Education Instructional Aide will be funded directly from the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants awarded by the Texas Education Agency under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (ESSER II) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ESSER III). This position will be funded solely (100%) from the ESSER II and III allocation for direct expenses through September 30, 2023, and may continue to be funded through September 30, 2024, depending upon the availability of ESSER grant funds. At the end of the grant period this position may be eliminated unless other sources of funds are secured to maintain this position or a similar position. The employee must sign this job description acknowledging receipt of the job description and signing their acknowledgement that this position is grant funded and is temporarily aligning with the terms of the grant period.