Special Education Paraprofessional

Job Description

Job Description

BACKGROUND

NorthStar Public Schools Overview

NorthStar Public Schools (Formerly KIPP MN Public Schools) is a one-of-a-kind school committed to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment where our K-8 students thrive academically, build skills and positive traits, and recognize their full potential. 

With our focus on Business & Finance, we give our students a unique advantage to prepare them for successful future endeavors. Business and financial literacy are essential skills that span across all career pathways, empowering students to make informed decisions, achieve financial independence, and thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Who We Are: NorthStar Public Schools is a community-based public charter school that provides free education to approximately 250 students in grades K-8 in North Minneapolis. With a majority of our student body identifying as BIPOC and qualifying for Free or Reduced Priced Lunch, our school community is passionate and dedicated to narrowing academic achievement gaps prevalent in BIPOC communities, as well as providing wrap-around services for our school community.

NorthStar Public Schools is seeking a mission driven paraprofessional to join our team! The  Special Education Paraprofessional's primary duties include assisting our Teachers with classroom lessons, activities, organization management, supervising students, and providing students with a positive and nurturing guide. The Paraprofessional will deal with students, parents, staff, and the community in a professional manner, and follow and uphold school rules and standards.

Instructional Support:

• Reinforce and re-teach specially designed instruction individually or in small groups, provide accommodations, modifications, and related supports as directed by licensed special education teachers and other qualified service providers.
• Support students in accessing the general education curriculum and participate in inclusive educational environments.
• Assist with the preparation, organization, maintenance and distribution of instructional materials, adaptive equipment, visual supports and assistive technology.
• Promote student independence by using prompting hierarchies, fading supports, and encouraging self-advocacy and self-determination.

Student Monitoring and Data Collection:

• Observe, record, and collect data on student behavior, academic progress, and goal attainment as directed by certified staff.
• Monitor student behavior in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, lunchrooms, and other school environments, intervening as trained and directed.
• Document incidents, accidents, or unusual observations following school protocols.

IEP Implementation, Progress Monitoring, and Data Collection

• Implement student Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Individualized Health Plans (IHPs), Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs), and safety plans as directed by licensed special education teachers and other qualified service providers.
• Observe, collect, and document objective data related to special education student academic performance, behavior, communication, functional skills, and IEP goal progress using established data collection procedures.
• Monitor special education student participation, engagement, and response to interventions and communicate observations to licensed special education teachers and other qualified service providers.

Behavioral and Social-Emotional Support:

• Implement positive reinforcement systems, accommodations, and modifications as outlined in student Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• Support special education students in developing social skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, communication, and self-advocacy skills. 
• Utilize approved de-escalation, crisis prevention, and intervention techniques consistent with district training and special education student behavior plans. 
• Assist in creating safe, structured, predictable learning environments that maximize special education student engagement and independence.

Support for Daily Living and Health Needs:

• Assist special education students with activities of daily living, including toileting, dressing, grooming, eating, and other self-care tasks.
• With training and supervision, support medically fragile special education students and carry out health plans in collaboration with the School Nurse and certified staff.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work collaboratively with licensed teachers, related service providers, administrators, and other school personnel to provide consistent implementation of special education student supports. 
• Refer questions regarding special education student progress, instructional programming, evaluation, eligibility, placement, or IEP decisions to special education case managers or special education leadership. 
• Communicate factual observations and routine information professionally while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. 

Student Supervision 

• Supervise students during classroom instruction, transitions, arrival and dismissal, lunch, recess, community-based instruction, field trips, transportation, and other school activities as assigned. 
• Assist students in following school expectations, routines, safety procedures, and classroom schedules.
• Maintain awareness of student whereabouts and promptly report safety concerns.

Professionalism and Compliance:

• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with IDEA, FERPA, HIPAA (when applicable), and district policies. 
• Complete required annual training, including behavior supports, confidentiality, mandatory reporting, health and safety procedures, emergency protocols, and other district-required professional development. 
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, flexibility, and positive working relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community members. 
• Follow all district policies, special education procedures, safety protocols, and supervisory direction. 

Other Responsibilities:

• Support inclusive educational practices that promote special education student participation in the least restrictive environment (LRE). 
• Encourage increasing special education student independence by systematically fading adult support as appropriate. 
• Perform clerical, organizational, and classroom support duties related to the implementation of special education services.
• Maintain prompt, regular and reliable attendance.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position as assigned by licensed staff or administration.

Required 

• Must be highly qualified and be able to provide supporting documentation; (having 1 of the 4 items listed below:
  • Completed two years of study (equaling 60 or more credit hours) from an accredited institution of higher education (Transcripts)
  • An Associate's degree or higher (Transcript)
  • Obtained a passing score on the MN-approved assessment, ParaPro test or ParaEducator, which measures math and reading skills (Certificate)
  • Special Education Paraprofessional experience (Verifiable School reference)
• Willingness to work with and show respect for students with special needs.
• Able to work independently.
• Demonstrated communication skills, patience, and flexibility.
• Experience with special education students including EBD, LD, and MMH
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to follow the teacher's plan and direction, and communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.