Job Description for: Special Education Aide

Exemption Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt - Hourly

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Educare is state of the art, full day, year round school that serves at-risk children from birth to five years. Building on the program foundations of Early Head Start and Head Start, Educare promotes school readiness by implementing effective programming aimed at preventing the development of an achievement gap in the early years. Each Educare is part of a national initiative that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high quality programs in communities, improving public policies within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive approach to the first five years of life and learning. 
As part of the Educare initiative, each school is a highly visible program that is host to a wide variety of visitors. The Educare model draws on a unique blend of private and public dollars, including child care, Early Head Start, Head Start, and other state and local education funding streams.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Special Education Aide works towards meeting the goals of individual children’s Individualized Special Education Plan as determined by the local school district staff, Educare West DuPage, and the child’s family.  Under the supervision of Master Teachers and the School Director, the Special Education aide works to execute activities to support those with identified needs and helps to maintain a classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate at all times and meets the individual needs of children.  The Special Education aide will be responsible for assisting with implementing all programming requirements in adherence to all performance and outcomes standards as prescribed by the multiple funding and model requirements

RESPONSIBLE TO: Master Teacher, School Director

SUPERVISOR TO: None
 
EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
  • Minimum of High School Diploma 
  • At least 1 year experience working with children with special learning needs 
  • Must be willing to pursue coursework specific to early childhood, adhering to program guidelines, as necessary
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred; 
  • Have some knowledge of best practices of development and care; 
  • Proof of physical examination within  the last six month, which includes a tuberculosis test, and comply with other background checks as required by  the organization and/or Department of Child and Family Services ( DCFS) licensing; 
  • Personal  qualifications as required in Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers; which include; emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
  • Aide with learning experiences that promote all developmental areas, including improving readiness of children for school by developing their language acquisition and vocabulary through a balanced, dual language approach that supports both Spanish and English language acquisition; 
  • With the preschool teacher, guide and facilitate activities of the children, including: daily activities, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom; 
  • Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the school, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children; 
  • Must be able to physically interact with children, including talk , hear sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and life and or move items of up to 40 pounds
  • Must have a good command of English language and grammar, both verbal and written.
  • Must be able to clearly hear and understand telephone conversations. 
  • Must be able to participate in both home visits and [parent conferences to discuss the child’s individual development and progress; 
  • Eat with children and help them in their development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices; 
  • Guide children’s acquisition of social skills; 
  • Aide in the provision and maintenance of safe and healthy developmentally appropriate environment; 
  • Aide in recruiting  and orienting volunteers, providing them guidance as needed; 
  • Aide the Preschool Team in completing required reports; 
  • Complete timely and accurate time sheets; 
  • Aide, as requested, in transition activities; 
  • Distribute newsletters, flyers, and other information 
  • Perform other duties as may be required
  • Engage in active supervision of children which requires focused attention and intentional observation of children at all times. Teachers position themselves so that they can observe all of the children; watching, counting, and listening at all times. They also use their knowledge of each child’s development and abilities to anticipate what she/he will do, then get involved and redirect them when necessary. This constant vigilance helps children learn safely
​The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Assists with classroom activities and i under the direction of certified teachers
  • Supports instructional modifications as outlined in Individual Education Plan in weekly lesson plan 
  • Prepares instructional materials
  • Participates in progress monitoring 
  • Implements interventions using instructional objectives and lessons developed as part of the student’s planning team 
  • Sets up audio visual equipment and communicative devices relevant to the modifications necessary to meet the needs of students with disabilities
  • Assists students with dressing, undressing, feeding, toileting and health needs as necessary
  • Reinforces lessons initiated by the teacher 
  • Participates in multidisciplinary staffing as appropriate
  • Participates in appropriate staff development 
  • Performs other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
  • Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals and community groups 
  • Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive member of an interdisciplinary team to plan, organize and implement responsibilities effectively, providing input; 
  • Be able to remain abreast of developments in the child development field and the Educare Model
  • Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high risk, low-income community 
  • Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information
  • Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community; 
  • Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that demonstrates respect and concern. 
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate  a computer and office equipment, including but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine and copier. 
  • Must be able to travel; 
  • Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle without assistance, and withstand exposure to adverse weather conditions; 
  • Must be able to life 55 pounds; 
  • Engage in active supervision of children which requires focused attention and intentional observation of children at all times.  Teachers position themselves so that they can observe all of the children: watching, counting, and listening at all times. They also use their knowledge of each child's development and abilities to anticipate what he/she will do, then get involved and redirect them when necessary. This constant vigilance helps children learn safely.

​Educare West DuPage is an Equal Opportunity Employer