I have an interview for a Special Ed teaching assistant position and I am nervous?

I don't know who asked you some of those questions. They aren't really very good questions.

Behavior Plan - Go to the 'Net and look up positive behavior support. Tell them that you will use proximity praise to see if you can get students who misbehave into line. Provide small rewards like stickers for kids who follow directions. As an assistant, you will not be disciplining the student, so if positives don't work, you will ask your teacher for suggestions.

Restraint - Say, "I am not trained or certified in restraint, so unless I am, I will not be able to restrain a student. Even if I was trained, I would do all that is in my power to de-escalate the student before any restraint." BEAR IN MIND, you may NOT restrain any student unless he is a danger to himself or others. Read up on some de-escalation techniques before you go to the interview. The other thing is that in any restraint, you will follow the teacher's lead and ask him or her for help if you are in that kind of a situation.

Dealing with a violent student - Again this is the teacher's job, but suggest clearing the room if the student is escalating to the point that they will hurt someone. Taking away the audience goes a long way to help with violent students. Also, stand sideways to the student and say as little as possible. Again this is really the teacher's job, but if you are in this situation, I suggest that you just speak in a low, firm voice and tell the student what you want him or her to do. Do not discuss the situation or take the bait if he decides to argue. That will escalate it more. Just calmly repeat what you want him to do, back up a bit and say you mean him no harm. Again go on the 'Net and read about de-escalation techniques. Crisis Prevention Intervention is a company that really works with de-escalation techniques.

First of all, as an assistant you should never be left alone with students. However, the answer is to stay in the classroom with the remaining children. If you have a reliable student, ask him or her to go to the office or the next classroom to let other people know.

Ask about the students you will be working with and what skills you will need to work with them. Also ask what your responsibilities will be. Don't ask about your breaks or lunch periods. Yes, you will get them, but it will leave a bad impression if that is your primary question.