Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional Position

Meridian CUSD 223 is seeking a paraprofessional for Highland Elementary School. Paraprofessional position title: Paraprofessional. Reports to: Building Principal. Mission statement of district: To instruct and assist students to be self-directed learners, collaborative workers, complex thinkers, quality producers and community contributors.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Paraprofessional endorsement on educator license issued by the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
• Evidence of physical fitness and freedom from communicable disease
• Successful completion of criminal background check

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to work with students and adults in a positive manner
• Physically and emotionally able to perform job responsibilities
• Ability to attend work regularly and punctually and complete duties in a timely manner
• Of good moral character and possessing temperate, ethical, and industrious habits
• Skilled in the use of office computer equipment, related software applications, and other standard office machines
• Effective organizing and coordinating skills
• Ability to gather data, compile information, prepare reports and use to improve performance
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to perform multiple concurrent tasks and attend to detail
• Knowledge of resources available to best support personal and student growth

Responsibilities and essential duties:

• Implement the district's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.
• Prompt arrival and full effort throughout the duration of every shift.
• Report suspected child abuse/neglect cases as required by statute and district policy.
• Work cooperatively with other school personnel, students and parents.
• Meet, as required, with students, parents, administrator and/or consultants.
• Maintain accurate, complete and correct records and maintain confidentiality of same as required by law, district policy or building/department procedures.
• Maintain student discipline with a focus on student safety in accordance with school board policy.
• Assist the teacher with classroom instructional tasks as assigned, including reading and listening to students, and reviewing their work.
• Work with students individually and in small groups to assist with the learning of content and skills introduced by the teacher.
• Observe student behavior and learning, communicating observations regularly with the teacher.
• Assist the teacher with clerical work, record keeping, and preparation of instructional materials, set up of centers, preparation of displays and bulletin boards, and other non-instructional tasks as assigned.
• Assist the teacher and students with cleanup from activities.
• Assist students with movement among activities.
• Assist students with the use of specialized equipment.
• Assist the teacher with supervision of students.
• Communicate with parents as directed by the teacher/supervisor.
• Accompany and assist the teacher in supervision on approved instructional field trips.
• Arrange furniture and equipment for various learning activities and experiences as directed by the teacher.
• Maintain the orderly arrangement of materials and equipment within the classroom.
• Assist students with preparing for and moving to other classrooms, school activities, outside activities and arrival and departure from school.
• Help young students or students with disabilities with clothing, grooming, health habits, and bathroom activities.
• Communicate to the teacher any unusual situations or needs of students.
• Assist the teacher in managing interruptions and emergencies.
• Maintain a safe working condition and safely operate electronic and other equipment needed to carry out job functions and responsibilities.
• Participate in appropriate in-service and workshop programs and attend required meetings.
• Serve as a role model for students and staff in demonstrating positive attitudes, appropriate attire and grooming, and effective work ethic.
• Display ethical and professional behavior in working with students, parents, school personnel, and outside agencies associated with the school.
• Complete tasks in the expected or assigned time frame without the need for re-direction from supervisor.
• Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties in accordance with the law and board policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Be knowledgeable of and adhere to applicable laws and guidelines, including but not limited to, the Illinois school code, state board of education rules and regulations, school board policies and procedures, all federal and state laws and rules as they relate to the position, and contractual obligations, where applicable.

Physical demands and work environment:

The physical demands and work environment described below 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 the job, the employee is regularly required to sit 25-50% of the day; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel 25-50% of the day; talk and hear 50-75% of the day; reach with hands and arms (occasionally above the shoulder) 25-50% of the day; and stand and walk 50-75% of the day. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Other physical demands of the positions include: regular bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting/turning/balancing, reaching above shoulder/outward, and typing/keyboarding. In the work environment, the employee is regularly exposed to video display and regularly works in typical interior/office environmental conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Term of employment: At will. FLSA status: Non-exempt. Evaluation: Annually by building principal or designee.