Paraprofessional - ESL

Bilingual Paraeducator

The Bilingual Paraeducator provides instruction/tutoring in all subject areas to limited English proficient students; is a liaison between the department, parents, and school staffs, and assists in coordinating the Parent Advisory Council activities.

Performance Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Functions as a liaison between the school administration, the counselors, teachers, and the bilingual students by interpreting communications within the school and with the parents.
• Translates notes, forms, and letters to the home language.
• Assists students in the development of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in their first and/or second language.
• Tutors/reinforces the content area concepts in the native language in small groups or individually.
• Coordinates with ELAD and/or content teachers in arranging a schedule of native language content area tutoring.
• Assists the teacher in maintaining discipline and a classroom climate conducive to learning.
• Attends appropriate workshops, conferences, and/or meetings as requested by supervisor/ELAD Coordinator.
• Assists in the necessary record keeping required by the school and the Bilingual/ELAD Department.
• Assists the teacher in coordinating parent volunteer activities.
• Performs assigned limited non-instructional duties such as lunchroom supervision, playground supervision, bus duty and other tasks assigned by the principal, as long as it does not interfere with instructional time. Itinerant Bilingual Paraeducators are not required to perform these duties.
• Performs all other duties assigned by the principal and/or El-AD Coordinator.

Work Environment/Hours Worked:

• A bilingual paraeducator is required to work in the school, climate controlled environment adhering to School Board energy policy.
• Work day follows regular schedule at assigned school.

Communication Skills:

• A bilingual paraeducator must be able to communicate in English both orally and in writing as well as in one of the languages of the students to be served.
• Must be able to communicate successfully and pleasantly with parents, students, and school personnel.

Equipment Used:

• Overhead projector, tape recorder, record player, language master, computer, VCR/television, telephone.

Physical Involvement:

• Mobility skills to access varied areas in the school setting.
• Ability to lift, bend, climb and move materials and equipment as needed.
• If itinerant, ability to provide own transportation to different job sites and mobility skills necessary to access a variety of work locations.

Mental Involvement:

• Must understand and interpret written and verbal instruction from teachers and supervisors.
• Must understand content to be tutored.
• Must assist the teacher in diagnosing/evaluating and reporting on student achievement.
• Must assist the teacher in planning and implementing appropriate learning environments in the classroom.

Human Relations Involvement:

• Must work compatibly with school-based personnel.
• Must be able to respond positively to supervision and to accept suggestions for improvement. Must interact positively with parents.
• Must be sensitive to the cultures of all students.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An Associate Degree (in any language) OR
• Forty-eight (48) hours of approved college courses (in any language) OR
• Pass ParaPro Praxis and have high school diploma and/or equivalency.
• Furnish proof of education from native country.
• Eighteen (18) years of age or older.
• Twenty-one (21) years of age or older for employment in high school.
• Oral and written proficiency in English and in one of the major languages of the population to be served.

Desirable Qualifications:

• College preferred.