HORSEBACK RIDING INSTRUCTOR

 

 

Reports to:       Principal                                            

Dept/School:   Assigned Campus                               

 

 

 

Primary Purpose:

Provide special education students with a therapeutic horseback riding program that consists of learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.  Develop lessons and other materials to the level of the student abilities.

 

Qualifications:

 

  1. NARHA level 1 certification (minimum)

  2. Bachelor’s degree in Special Education preferred

  3. At least 2 years of related experience

Terms of Employment: Pay Grade: Admin Pay Grade 1

 

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

 

  1. Be familiar with physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities at a variety of levels, including severe/profound.
  2. Participate in ARD committee meetings by submitting a report of student progress in the horseback riding program.
  3. Be able to match students to horses according to their physical, mental, social, and emotional needs.
  4. Implement a variety of horseback riding lessons conducive to a range of special needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, as well as multiple handicaps.
  5. Present activities that are related directly to IEP goals and/or services.
  6. Manage student behavior and administer discipline, including intervening in crisis situations, as pre-determined by classroom teacher/assistants and noted in behavior plan (if applicable).
  7. Collaborate with teachers, assistants, and support staff (OT, PT, Speech) to ensure that each student is participating in activities directly related to his/her IEP.
  8. Collaborate with teachers and assistants on appropriate behavior plan strategies and techniques.
  9. Upon request of supervisor, will attend applicable team meetings, staff meetings, and school wide events.
  10. Consult district and outside resource people regarding education of students, as related to the horseback riding program.
  11. Create a student schedule in which students receive the best instruction, including flexibility in time, frequency, and personal needs.
  12. Collaborate with horse provider in order to accommodate the student schedule for horseback riding instruction.
  13. Organize the program in order to provide adequate training for teachers, assistants, and volunteers on a regular basis.
  14. Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and teachers.
  15. Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
  16. Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly to members of the school, district, and community.
  17. Maintain good public relations with the community concerning the horseback riding program, the school, and the district. 
  18. Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills, including workshops for increasing knowledge in the area of special education or teaching students with disabilities.  This includes, but is not limited to, learning communication strategies, sensory integration, and special adaptations.
  19. Stay updated in NAHRA guidelines and be willing to obtain certification for carriage drives in the future.
  20. Obtain CPI certification within 6 months of employment.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise assigned teacher aide(s) and horse provider for the program.

 

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress.  Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling.  Move heavy objects including horseback riding equipment and adaptive equipment.  Will be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities; be willing, if the situation arises, to control behavior through physical restraint, and assist nonambulatory students.  Exposed to biological hazards. 8/06 SR