Paraprofessional Educator Special Education Behavior Support

Paraprofessional Educator Special Education Behavior Support

Anchorage School District

Job Summary The Behavior Support Paraprofessional Educator provides academic and behavioral support for students experiencing emotional disturbance, social and behavioral challenges, or mental health impairments. The position has a retirement association with the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).

Job Requirements The following are required:

• A high school diploma or equivalent, or current enrollment in a GED program.
• Must meet paraprofessional requirements for the state of Alaska through one of the following methods: 48 college semester credits from a regionally accredited institution, OR a passing score of 459 or greater on the ETS Paraprofessional Assessment exam, OR passing the WorkKeys by ACT assessment, OR passing the ASD provided Master Teacher paraprofessional training.
• Basic literacy skills in reading, writing, and math.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and inspire confidence and cooperation of staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain a professional relationship with staff, parents, students, administrators, and the public.

The following are preferred:

• Knowledge of first aid.
• Experience working with students in a job related capacity such as in a school, specialized class, clinic setting, residential facility, or agency setting.
• Two years of experience working in general education, special education, private school, agency, clinic, residential treatment, or other mental health settings.
• Basic experience with office equipment and computer literacy skills including word processing, printing, and e-mail.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Individual Education Plans, behavior plans, and lesson plans, etc., under the direction of a special education teacher.
• Must be able to readily recall details of individual students' behavioral support plans.
• Ability to resolve problems, handle conflicts, and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to share essential information appropriately with fellow team members to aid in the development of individual student programs.
• Ability to read and interpret information from a variety of professionals, including psychologists, behavioral specialists, counselors, and mental health specialists and under the direction of these specialists and the special education teacher, appropriately use the information to support students.
• Ability to remain calm and maintain a professional demeanor during times of conflict.
• For behavior programs in neighborhood schools: Overall physical conditioning and ability to provide physical support for students in a variety of settings within the classroom or school. Ability and willingness to be trained on a variety of topics, including Positive Behavioral Supports, positive reinforcement techniques, appropriate behavioral interventions and de-escalation techniques.
• For behavior programs in special schools: Overall physical conditioning and ability to provide physical support for students which will include activities such as running, carrying students, getting up and down from the floor. Ability and willingness to be trained in district sanctioned de-escalation techniques.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides instructional services in reading, math, writing, etc., to students individually or in small groups under the supervision of a special education teacher.
• Prepares or modifies instructional materials for students as specified by special education teacher.
• Collects academic and behavioral data in accordance with student(s) IEP goals and objectives as directed by certified special education staff.
• Collaborates and works cooperatively, as a team member, with colleagues, staff, and community agency personnel.
• Follows written and oral instructions, and independently follows through on teacher directed academic and behavioral programming/strategies.
• Implements and provides special education services and support for students as detailed in the IEP. Duties will include providing instructional services, accommodations and modifications, behavioral and social interventions, individual behavior improvement plans, personal hygiene assistance and assisting/monitoring students to and from buses.
• Implements ASD approved de-escalation techniques as required by district behavioral programs.
• For behavior programs in neighborhood schools: Majority of hours spent in special education or general education classroom environments. However, student support may be required in other school settings such as restrooms, corridors, lunch rooms, gyms, conference rooms, or playgrounds. This also includes assistance/monitoring during lunch periods, breaks and recesses, and assisting students to and from buses as specified in the IEP.
• For behavior programs in special schools: Majority of hours would be spent in special education classrooms, however, also works in other school settings such as restrooms, corridors, lunch room, gym, playground. Required to attend students during outside recess on playground and to and from the bus.
• Supports the Anchorage School District's position of valuing diversity, promoting respect, and maintaining standards of confidentiality.

Physical /Mental Demands The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment. The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability. Work Environment Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings. While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

About The Anchorage School District is one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the country. We educate nearly 43,000 students in over 130 schools and programs. Minority students comprise more than 50 percent of the student population, and our students speak 110 different languages. We are committed to fostering and celebrating diversity and preparing our students to be global citizens. We support employees through comprehensive professional development, award winning mentoring programs, and competitive salary and benefits. Anchorage is the best of both worlds, offering pristine wilderness alongside the amenities of a large city.

Land Acknowledgment: We acknowledge that we gather here today on the traditional lands of the Dena'ina People of Upper Cook Inlet. For thousands of years, the Dena'ina People have been and continue to be the stewards of this land. ASD is committed to diversity and inclusion, and it is with honor and respect that we recognize all Indigenous people who live and learn in our community.

Our Mission: In order to meet its mission, Educating All Students for Success in Life, Anchorage School District (ASD) is committed to strategic initiatives and goals. Goals are SMART as they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

Our Vision: Building the ideal student experience

Student learning, achievement, and lifelong success are the focus of ASD. Within the District, families have many academic choices to meet a variety of student needs. Equitable access and opportunity are keys to building a successful learning path for each student. ASD celebrates our differences and is committed to inclusion of all our community's languages, cultures, and perspectives.

Education plays a vital role in preparing students to become engaged, productive members of our culturally rich community. Our community envisions students empowered by real world experiences with access to educational opportunities within and beyond the walls of school buildings. ASD is boldly committed to transforming how we prepare students for life, college and careers within Alaska and across the globe.