Reports to: Supervising Case Manager, Building Principal, or Program
Director, then Superintendent
Equipment Used: Familiar with the use of: Basic office equipment (i.e. photocopy machines), classroom computers/chromebooks, Google programs (docs, classroom, sheets, email, etc), any adaptive equipment used by the assigned students (training will be provided in the use of such equipment as: auditory trainers, AAC devices, physical aids, etc). Other equipment as may be necessitated by a child’s IEP, training to be provided by supervising case manager or other designated individual.
Physical Activity
Requirements:Lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs. is occasionally required
Lifting to transfer students with mobility impairments to/from equipment (i.e. wheelchairs), and/or assistance with toileting students may require occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. Only if certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention®, will paraprofessionals be required to assist other certified staff in physically restraining a disruptive student.
General Job Description: Perform support services to help students achieve productive learning experiences within a prescribed Individual Educational Plan (IEP). Support may include instructional and/or behavioral needs, social skill development, assistance with tasks of daily living, accompanying students to related services, and other tasks as required by the IEP. Provide instructional support in small groups or individually, prepare educational materials at the direction of the teacher (case manager or classroom), monitor small group activities, provide personal assistance to students, (as instructed) and other diverse duties as specified in a student’s IEP, or as determined by the respective Program Director or Building Principal. Documentation of work with students, and 30-day reviews, may also be required for purposes of the Medicaid to Schools program.
Essential Functions:
Ensure safety of assigned students and those they may interact with.
Perform all assigned duties according to the policies, rules, and regulations of the Berlin Public Schools, The Berlin School Board, and the NH Department of Education.
Receive instructions and follow a prescribed educational plan or procedural guidelines under the supervision of the assigned program supervisor/teacher/case manager/principal.
Work with individuals or small groups of students on class-room activities applying the requisite components of the Individual Educational Program (IEP).
Assist classroom teachers to ensure the learning process is guided toward the adopted instructional program.
Assist with the preparation of classroom materials and/or their distribution, in order to meet the accommodations of students with disabilities, per individual IEPs.
Assist the classroom teacher in maintaining the necessary classroom environment conducive to sound learning and study habits.
Assist students with the development of appropriate social skills. Provide positive reinforcement to motivate and acknowledge acceptable behavior.
Follow individual behavior plans for students requiring them.
Follow and enforce school rules and policies.
Assist with the supervision of students on the playground, in the lunchroom, during bus duty, and other locations that may be required, as directed by the supervising case manager.
Help the teacher with administering tests, including standardized tests, for assigned students, utilizing any required accommodations on IEPs.
Observe confidentiality of privileged information at all times. Will respect confidential information pertaining to the school and students. Will respect the limits of “Need to Know” basis, accessing confidential records only when deemed necessary by the teacher/case manager/supervisor or principal. Guidelines of FERPA should inform all aspects of confidentiality.
Attend all mandatory meetings and training programs during regular work hours.
Write a Professional Development Plan every 3 years.
Serve as a positive role model for students. Demonstrate responsibility, citizenship, respect, and courtesy. Be also mindful of interactions with the public outside of school, and the use and sharing of information on social media.
Perform other specific job-related duties as directed supervising case manager, or other supervisory staff.
Paraprofessionals will not transport students in their private vehicles.
In particular circumstances with some students, paraprofessionals may be required to assist other staff in “two-person” lifts (for example, to assist in transferring a student in or out of a wheelchair).
Adhere to school policies at all times (i.e. dress code, cell phone use, absence procedures, reporting bullying or Title IX complaints, etc).
Guiding Principles:
Paraprofessionals are not certified teachers, and will not carry out tasks normally reserved for teachers. They are responsible first to the supervising case manager, and second to the classroom teacher who prepares and plans lessons, activities, and seat work. They may be asked to assist in the preparation of materials planned by the teacher – But not during the time they should be working with a student or students. Paraprofessionals can plan and prep for their small group lessons, and they may be given time to do so at the discretion of their supervisor, but they may not provide initial instruction.
Paraprofessionals may be assigned to work in the classroom with the teacher, in another classroom with a teacher in an inclusion environment, or with a small group of students in a room assigned for that purpose. They may supervise activities or work planned by the teacher, such as practicing, reviewing concepts taught, reading with groups of students, etc. If the paraprofessional is unsure of what duties are required in a particular instance, s/he should refer to the supervising case manager.
Paraprofessionals will not be responsible for direct evaluation of students, such as preparing and marking exams. Paraprofessionals do not assign grades, but because it is important that the teacher be aware of students’ understanding and progress, the paraprofessional should be checking their students’ work regularly.
Any inquiries from parents regarding their child’s progress shall be directed to the teacher and/or supervising case manager. Communication with parents shall be through those channels. Paraprofessionals should not be communicating directly with parents about students via email, texting, social media, or interpersonally.
Unacceptable behavior within the school setting that exceeds normal behavior should be brought to the attention of the teacher. More serious or repeated incidents shall be brought to the attention of the teacher, assistant principal or principal.
Ongoing, daily communication between paraprofessionals and teachers is expected.
Paraprofessionals assigned to a particular student, may assist other students in that group or classroom, keeping in mind that the assigned student is their primary responsibility. This may be per their own initiative, or per the request of the teacher.
If documenting services for the Medicaid to Schools program, only hours worked with the student and also required on the IEP may be submitted.
Working Hours:All paraprofessionals must be prompt and report to work at the
start of the scheduled work day. Work hours are those designated
by the director and building administration. Attendance beyond
the regularly scheduled work hours (IEP meetings shall be at the
request of the case manager), must be pre-approved for pay in
advance. Any work they may volunteer outside their time frame is
on their own time. Building Principals, Program Directors, and/or
Supervisors may occasionally designate a required training or
meeting outside of normal working hours.
Per State Labor Laws, paraprofessionals will be provided a
duty free lunch break (unpaid), for those who work a full school
day. As such, a paraprofessional working a full school day must be
scheduled for a 30 minute lunch break each day. Outside of this designated time, paraprofessionals will be considered to be actively working.
Anytime a paraprofessional needs to leave the school, s/he
must report to the office and follow school check-out
procedures (ex. lunch break), and then check back in upon return.
Time will be charged to sick leave or other leaves (given out in
half-day increments, not by the hour), if appropriate, or for
unpaid leave.
Please follow the procedures outlined by your Building
Principal for calling in sick. Be sure to indicate if you have specific assigned duties that need to be covered.