Special Education Instructional Aide

  • Full-time
  • Subject: Special Education
  • Start Date: Immediate opening
  • Department: School-based Support

Company Description

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network, dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for college success and choice-filled lives. Today, KIPP Texas operates 59 public charter schools educating over 31,100 students across four regions – Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income families.

Job Description

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.

As a KIPP Texas Public Schools Instructional Aide, your core responsibilities include:

  • 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

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), that LEAs continue to ensure that aides performing instructional duties on a Title I, Part A School-wide 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 Instructional Aide Highly Qualified requirements.

Highly Qualified Instructional Aide must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and meet one of the following requirements:

  1. 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;

  2. Possess an associate’s (or higher) degree; or

  3. 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 Qualifications:

  • 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

Competencies:

  • 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

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise. A competitive benefits package is also offered.

As a full time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance, fertility, and disability plans starting as low as $25/month.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.
As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability

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