PARAPROFESSIONAL

Support Staff Position

This role is currently being hired by the Substitute Teacher Service. Position Purpose: Assist the Special Education Department with the educational needs of students within autistic support, emotional support, learning support, or life skills support programs.

General Duties and Responsibilities: Assists students with self-sufficiency, communication, interpersonal, social, emotional, academic, mobility skills, along with balance, visual perceptual activities, fine and/or gross motor skills, boarding/exiting school van, and prompts to stay focused. Participates in development, implementation, and monitors progress of IEPs for each student as assigned. Assist assigned student(s) with classroom assignments, tests, activities, etc.; ensuring student(s) understand all assignments given by the teachers. Oversee instructional activities as directed by the teacher and monitor results. May hold responsibility for documenting and reporting relevant information regarding student progress, and behavioral/physical needs to the teacher as required by student's IEP. Promotes safety of self and students through adherence of safety policies which may include body positioning, physical management techniques, Universal Precautions and proper lifting of students. Remains calm, positive and composed when students engage in problem behavior. Recognizes signs of frustration, anxiety and anger in order to implement antecedent strategies and teach alternative behaviors which may prevent problem behavior. Assist in developing and maintaining a positive classroom environment to encourage positive behavior from student(s). Maintain communication with the general education classroom teacher and the special education teacher. Utilizes approved de-escalation and physical management procedures as necessary to assist a student during a crisis period and to maintain student and others safe. Using professional language, follows require post incident reporting procedures to include proper notification. Ensures a safe environment conducive to learning. Assist student(s) to appropriate classrooms as needed; assist student(s) on field trips and community-based instruction. Attend professional development/in-service programs and maintain Highly Qualified Status (HQT) per Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements. May assist student(s) with personal care needs as required (i.e. dressing, toileting, hygiene needs, and self-care, etc. Uses and maintains student adaptive equipment and/or augmentative devices needed for students. Participates in toilet training and other daily living activities (i.e. dressing, toileting, hygiene needs, and self-care, etc) that students are learning in the classroom/school setting. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent is necessary. Must be able to work with students. Previous experience with special education students preferred.