Paraprofessional - Special Education

Special Education Paraeducator

The Special Education paraeducator assists one or more members of the instructional staff in carrying out his/her job responsibilities by performing instructional or non-instructional tasks for disabled students. Instructional tasks are performed under the teacher's supervision. Noninstructional tasks include clerical, monitorial technical, and other general duties.

Performance Responsibilities/Essential Functions

A. Instructional

• Works with individual or small groups of students to reinforce skills/concepts.
• Provides instructional leadership when working with substitute teacher.
• Assists with specific skills (e.g., interpreting, etc.) as required by exceptionality.
• Prepares materials to help meet individual differences such as rewriting reading materials for less able readers, taping reading assignments for dictated materials, etc.

B. Non-Instructional

• Helps organize classroom at beginning of the school year.
• Arranges room for instructional activities.
• Becomes familiar with and follows all regulations and policies of the school and school board.
• Attends faculty meetings when requested.
• Helps provide assistance for the physical needs of students with disabilities after proper training is provided.
• Helps provide assistance for the medical needs of students with disabilities, e.g., catheterization, etc., after proper training is provided.
• Attends and participates in pre-service and inservice workshops as mandated by Board policy.
• Follows daily schedule, informing assigned teacher of any changes made by the administrator in work schedule.
• Collects monies, takes attendance and completes absence and illness reports.
• Inventories, labels, and files materials which pertain to the individual assistant’s assignment.
• Corrects objective tests and written assignments, records information on test booklets, in roll books and on health forms.
• Assists with snack time.
• Helps students with personal possessions; accompanies students to office, first aid room, rest room, etc.
• Maintains discipline standards according to the regulations of the school system and the assigned teacher(s).
• Relieves assigned teachers for conferences and emergencies.
• Obtains, secures, sets up and operates A-V equipment and other instructional materials.
• Sets up centers for work materials, listening stations, etc.
• Performs assigned limited non-instructional duties such as lunchroom supervision, playground supervision, bus duty, and other tasks assigned by the principal.
• Performs all other related duties as required by the principal.

Work Environment/Hours Worked:

• A Special Education paraeducator is required to work in a school setting, climate controlled environment adhering to School Board energy policy and in the outside areas which are subject to climate extremes.
• Work day is consistent with teacher hours at assigned school.
• Work day may be adjusted for Board approved summer schedule/emergencies.

Communication Skills:

• Communication must be in standard English both orally and in writing.
• Communication must be commensurate with age and skill of listener.
• Must be able to accurately compile and access data, summarize information, and provide written report to supervisor.
• Telephone, copy machine, classroom computer, audio-visual aids.

Physical Involvement:

• Sitting is required part of each work day.
• Standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting is sometimes required.
• Physically transfer, restrain or position students.
• Transfer and maneuver equipment when required.
• Able to provide own transportation to school or workshops sites.
• Must be able to perform non-complex healthcare procedures if required for those students in need of such services.

Mental Involvement:

• Must understand written and verbal instructions from teacher or administrators.
• Must be able to become familiar with all curriculum in assigned classes.
• Must have the ability to work independently with students.

Human Relations Involvement:

• Must be able to work compatibly with students, teachers, school personnel, and parents.
• Must be able to respond positively to supervision and to accept suggestions for improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An Associate Degree OR
• Forty-eight (48) hours of approved college courses OR
• Pass ParaPro Praxis and have high school diploma and/or equivalency
• Eighteen (18) years of age or older
• Twenty-one (21) years of age or older for employment in high school
• Must agree to participate in paraeducator training and enroll in sign language course if assigned to hearing impaired class.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with children.

Compensation:

• JP Schools offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.
• JP Schools also offers a competitive benefits package.