Paraprofessional - Special Education

TITLE:  Paraprofessional 1

LOCATION:  Eisenhower

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic, 24% African American, 9% White, and 6% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees including more than 1,800 teachers.              

JOB GOAL:

The job of Paraprofessional 1 is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program within assigned specialized classroom in alternative settings with specific responsibility for assisting the Lead Teacher in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising/lead teacher for the purpose of supporting students in a variety of school environments to include content area subjects.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting lead teachers in the special education classroom in alternative programs (e.g. Bridges, Camber, JDC, etc.).
• Assist special education teacher with creating lesson plans for assigned students in alternative programs.
• Assists medically fragile or physically disabled students for the purpose of maintaining student’s personal hygiene.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and/or parents for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives under the direction of the lead teacher.
• Implements and adheres to lesson plans created in coordination with the special education teacher for the assigned students in alternative programs.
• Implements under the supervision of assigned lead teacher, behavioral plans designed by IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions (e.g. supportive disciplinary role, reinforces student performance, etc.) for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Maintains instructional materials for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and or meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. classrooms in alternative settings, assemblies, job interviews, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides under the supervision of lead teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. pre/posttests, constructs materials, checks/scores student work, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; and ensuring student success in school.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• May administer immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning for the work unit.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Have a high school diploma or a GED certificate and

• Complete 48 hours at an institution of higher education OR
• Obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree OR

Pass a State approved assessment.  Approved assessments include: Workkeys, ParaPro, or Para Educator (If you do not have a State approved assessment, KCKPS will offer one credential assessment test to candidates recommended for hire)

Job related experience preferred

COMMUNICATION/ORGANIZATION:

Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students. Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties. Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being. 

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 186

SALARY: 

FLSA STATUS: Hourly Non-exempt 

REPORT TO: Principal 

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy

Applications will be reviewed prior to the closing date for this position.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  The individual holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.   

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  KCKPS is an equal opportunity employer and shall not discriminate in its employment practices and policies with respect to hiring, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex/gender (to include orientation, identity, or expression), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59^th Street

Kansas City, KS 66104

913-279-2262

Title IX@kckps.org