Special Education Paraeducator

Assistant Teacher

Qualifications: 

• Associate's Degree, two years of college (60 credits) or Pass on Parapro Exam prior to employment
• Experience working with children is preferred
• Demonstrate aptitude or competence for assigned responsibilities
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable

Reports To: Director of Student Services and School Principal

General Description: To assist the classroom teacher in the education of students including management of student behavior; recordkeeping; instructional assistance; classroom safety; organization; and interaction and communication with students.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to effectively communicate with parents, co-workers and students
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique needs and characteristics of all students particularly those who are differently abled (i.e. Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impaired, Emotional Disability)
• Knowledge of principles of classroom and behavior management
• Knowledge of principles of child development stages and developmental delays
• Ability to exercise flexibility, common sense and good judgment
• Skill in following oral and written directions
• Ability to identify, prevent and deescalate negative behaviors
• Skill in assisting students in progressing on Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals
• Punctuality and regular attendance required

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with individual and small groups of students to reinforce material introduced by the teacher, and foster skills while encouraging independence
• Accompany students when trips out of the classroom are necessary
• Establish supportive relationships with students while maintaining the role as an authority figure
• Alert the teacher and/or administrator to any problem, special information or situations
• Assist with large and small group activities
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and student confidentiality
• Aid the teacher in conducting lessons that require preparation of visual aids, operations of audio-visual equipment, and other equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes
• Support the teacher in implementing behavior/social skills programs
• Remain student focused, maintaining a caring, safe, developmentally appropriate environment
• Assist the teacher by supporting the development and construction of new materials as needed
• Punctual and consistent in meeting daily time schedules
• Receptive to new ideas and suggestions
• Assist the teacher in conducting routine clerical duties
• Demonstrate knowledge of all transportation procedures, including early and late Dismissals
• De-Escalation and physical management training required (may be provided) - physical restraint may be needed in this position
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions:

The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment that may be required of positions in this class. Norwich Public School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Human Resources Department for further information.

• Performing the job duties of this position requires the following physical demands: reaching, some lifting, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling.
• Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom equipment
• Must be able to assist in the lifting/carrying of students in excess of 50 pounds
• Occasional exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather

Terms of Employment: Salary and work year to be determined by the contract between the Norwich Board of Education and the Municipal Employees Union "Independent". Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of support services.