POSITION: Special Education Para Professional – Early Childhood Special Education

CATEGORY: Classified

DEPARTMENT: Para Professional

LOCATION: Nampa Early Childhood Learning Center

REPORTS TO: Principal

SUMMARY: To work under the direction of the classroom teacher or principal in achieving the educational goals and objectives of all qualifying students through individual, small group, or whole group instruction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare and organize materials for small group and individual instruction
• Maintain high academic standards and expectations
• Provide tutorial help to students following lessons prescribed by the teacher and reinforce material and skills using a variety of methods as directed by certified staff
• Provide immediate feedback on student performance
• Respond to students’ questions and requests for assistance
• Observe students’ work and study habits
• Observe and record students’ time on task when needed
• Assist students in locating prescribed instructional materials and starting their assignments
• Assist the classroom teacher in the delivery of an effective instructional program
• Work with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material and skills introduced by the teacher
• Help students master equipment or instructional materials assigned by teacher
• Provide individualized instruction activities using materials and sequences selected by the classroom teacher
• Identify pupil needs and provide instruction appropriate to those needs
• Follow modifications and accommodations as specified in Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Assist with such large group activities as drill and practice, reading aloud, and storytelling, and participate in other forms of oral communication with students
• Guide independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work assigned by the teacher
• Supervises assigned student at all times, including breaks
• One-on-one or small group instruction as outlined by the teacher
• Reinforcement of behavior through the use of positive behavior supports
• Assist the assigned student in the general education classroom setting during class activities.
• Collecting data documenting student behavior for instructional purposes.
• Accompany the student when trips are necessary to the school office or nurse office as needed.
• Establish a supportive relationship with the student to provide a positive classroom experience.
• Serves as a resource person to the child study team as needed.
• Alerts classroom teacher to any problems or special information concerning any individual student.
• Work with special needs children who have unique learning challenges.
• Assist certified teacher in preparing for classroom activities.
• Check notebooks, correct papers, and supervise testing and make‑up work as assigned by the teacher
• Administer, score, and record such achievement and diagnostic tests as the teacher recommends for individual students
• Encourage students to strive to meet their highest potential
• Communicate classroom rules and encourage students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior

• Assist the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on an understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities
• Alert the supervising teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student
• Keep the supervising teacher informed of activities and any issues that may arise

• Operate and care for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes
• Distribute and collect workbooks, papers, and other materials for instruction
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Keep accurate records and maintain individual records for each student
• Attend faculty meetings as required
• Assume responsibility for his or her continuing professional growth and development through such efforts as reading professional journals and other publications
• Seek assistance should emergencies arise
• Represent the school district in a positive manner
• Know and follow school district policy and chain of command

• Perform other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform a job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Must meet Para Professional requirements

• Bachelors Degree or
• 32 core academic credits from an accredited university (with a passing grade of “C” or better) or
• Pass the Para Pro assessment with a score of 460 or higher

• Para Professional experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Demonstrate aptitude for working with adolescents
• Works well with students, staff, and the public
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work under pressures and deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality of staff and students

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to read, analyze and interpret governmental regulations and legal documents. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees and/or the general public. Ability to communicate in English and Spanish is required.

PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS:

Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.

PRODUCTIVITY/EFFICIENCY SKILLS: Consistently demonstrate ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary; organize job functions and work area to be able to complete varied assignments within established time frame effectively.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to conduct basic math functions, as well as manipulate formulas in spreadsheets.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form. Ability to define problems collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing (Microsoft Office), spreadsheets (Excel), database (Access), presentation software and accounting/financial software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit; occasionally walk and stand and reach with hands and arms; occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds and push and pull up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job includes close vision; very good depth perception; and the ability to communicate through speech. May be required to block or redirect students during negative behavior. May be required to engage in physical restraint of student in crisis situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual’s disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside and occasionally meets deadlines with severe time constraints.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Nampa Early Learning Center calendar assignment.

Nampa School District #131 is an equal opportunity employer/educator with an alcohol, drug and tobacco free environment, and does not unlawfully discriminate in employment. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodations to the application and/or interview process should notify a representative of the organization. The information contained in this job posting is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. The employment relationship with the District is of an “at will” nature, which means that the Employee may resign at any time and the Employer may discharge the Employee at any time with or without cause.