Paraprofessional (Elementary)

Reports to: Building Administrator and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Special Services

Summary: The job of Paraprofessional is done for the purpose of providing support to the teacher with specific responsibility for supervising elementary students with disabilities within the classroom and in the areas of social, emotional and behavioral with individual and/or small groups of students; and providing clerical support to teacher/s and staff.  All plans for a lesson originate through the classroom teacher. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide personal care assistance to students, such as toileting, feeding, hand washing, teeth brushing, etc. (as needed and as directed).
• Adapts equipment under the guidance of therapist and teachers (e.g. seating, tables, desks, computer hardware, etc.) for the purpose of providing optimal positioning and increased independence for special education students
• Implement the behavior support plan or behavior intervention plan developed to support the student throughout the school day and setting
• Implement assigned behavioral interventions and/or methodologies
• Use positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior
• Provide consequences and alternatives for undesired behavior
• Model instructional and behavior management techniques
• Collect data in regard to behavior assisting the Special Education teacher in supporting the student’s goals.
• Report changes in the student’s behavior to the Special Education Teacher.
• Support and provide instruction to facilitate social interaction, facilitated play between student and classroom peers.
• Support and provide instruction in behavior, social skills and executive functioning
• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Assists students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments (e.g. read stories, listen to students read, providing writing assistance, reinforce English, Science, Math and/or Social Studies lessons, provide spelling practice, facilitate activities, computer learning programs, etc.) for the purpose of practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching academic/IEP goals and grade level standards.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Communicates with teachers for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing educational/IEP goals and objectives.
• Implements, under the supervision of the assigned teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Maintains classroom equipment, work area, and manual and electronic files and records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; providing written reference; providing a safe learning environment; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom,  playground, field trips, library, lunchroom, recess, bus loading/unloading, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides consistent positive interaction with students for the purpose of educating students.
• Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel. 
• Assist with the implementation of accommodations through the administration of state and district-wide assessments, as appropriate. 
• Supports classroom teachers and other school personnel for the purpose of assisting  them in the implementation of curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of the position.

Other Job Functions:

• Assist with field trips and class supervision 
• Assist with preparation of bulletin boards, learning centers, etc. 
• Arrange instructional materials for the classroom 
• Attend meetings/training as requested 
• May be assigned routine clerical duties such as filing, typing, etc. 
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress, and appropriate  professional manner for the work setting. 
• Demonstrates effective human relations and communication skills. 
• Adhere to all district rules, regulations, and policies. 
• Adheres to good safety practices
• Other duties as assigned by the administrator. 

Qualifications

Education: Associate Degree or 60 hours of higher education; or successful completion of Para Praxis Pro Exam

Skills and Abilities

Language

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to: Read and comprehend simple written and oral instructions, short correspondence and memos. Write short correspondence. Communicate one on one and in small groups.

Reasoning

An individual who holds this position must have the ability to: Understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Occasionally solve problems involving concrete variables within standardized situations.

Technology

Basic computer skills including word processing and data entry.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

An individual who holds this position: Is frequently required to stand, stoop, bend and kneel. May have to use therapeutic restraint or lift students. Must have both close and distance vision

Terms of Employment:

173 Days.  A day is defined as 7.5 student contact hours with benefits according to Board policy.