Instructional Paraprofessional @ Cottonwood Elementary

INSTRUCTIONAL PARAPROFESSIONAL

Classroom/Student Support

The job of the instructional paraprofessional is done for the purpose of assisting in the supervision and instruction of students, monitoring students in a variety of different settings (classroom, playground, cafeteria, library, bus loading, field trips, etc.) and providing general support to the assigned certificated teacher(s).

Directly Responsible to:  Classroom teacher and building principal

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent

Must meet one of the following ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Highly Qualified Requirements:

• 2 year post-secondary degree or more
• 72 quarter credits at a post-secondary school
• Have passed the paraprofessional ETS Assessment

Essential Functions

• Assist students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities assigned by the teacher to present and/or reinforce learning concepts and reach their academic goals and potential.
• Follows a structured teaching and learning plan.
• Carries out direct instruction and tutoring. 
• Assists students in their understanding of whole group instruction.
• Guides independent work.
• Provides students with practice on identified skills areas.    
• Incorporates IEP requirements within students’ daily lesson plans as directed by the teacher. 
• Maintains records and charts indicating students’ progress.
• Informs classroom teacher of students’ progress.
• Maintains classroom equipment, work areas, students files/records (e.g. adapting instructional materials, cleaning work area, taking attendance, checking homework, grading papers, audio visual equipments, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
• Assists teacher in monitoring student behavior and disciplines students as authorized.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, cafeteria, library, halls, to/from bus, field trips, in-house detention, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Teaches and reinforces appropriate behavior with students. 
• Restrains students from harming themselves or others. 
• Performs record keeping and clerical functions (copying, laminating, correcting papers, phone calls, scheduling activities, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or in providing necessary records/materials.
• May be required to provide detailed one-to-one assistance with changing, diapering, personal hygiene, etc.
• May be required to assist students with feeding and administer tube feeding. 
• Mainstreams students in general education settings as requested.
• Serves as the chief source of information and help to substitute teachers with assigned students. 
• Attends meetings and trainings as requested.
• Fulfills other related duties as assigned. 

 Other Functions

• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
• Utilizes reasonable and professional judgment.
• Observes and utilizes professional medical/safety precautions to include positioning children in a safe and secure manner in adaptive equipment and transferring orthopedically disabled children to and from different equipment including toilets. 
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.
• Be trained in Right Response De-Escalation and Restraint and keep certification updated yearly.

 Working Relationships

Communicates regularly with students, parents/guardians, and teaching staff.  Required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors; required to deal with a wide range of physical and emotional disabilities; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students. 

Working Conditions

The daily work is performed in a classroom setting.  May be required to work outdoors in inclement weather; participate in daily physical education classes; take several brisk walks per day; lift, move, and position students and equipment; supervise the playground, bus loading/unloading; attend to students’ personal hygiene; may be exposed to biting, spitting, and hitting behavior; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids and cleaning or disinfecting compounds; required to work in non-routine positions for extended periods. 

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting (able to lift 50 pounds and assisting in lifting over 50 pounds), carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.  Generally the job requires 34% sitting, 33% walking, and 33% standing.  The job related is performed under a generally hazard free environment and in a clean atmosphere.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.  Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: tutoring individual and/or groups of students; following a structured teaching and learning plan; operating standard office equipment and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to assure proper conduct of students; maintain record keeping systems, utilize technology equipment; perform high school level math, read a variety of manuals;  present information to others; understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles.

ABILITY is required to identify and adjust to individual student’s needs; be innovative and improvise to meet changing situations; understand and communicate effectively; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; be flexible to accommodate changing schedules; ability to squat, bend, and walk without limitations; schedule activities; collate data, and use basic, job-related equipment.  Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; operate equipment using standardized methods; work with a wide diversity of individuals; Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; and working as part of a team.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized routines; providing information and/or advising others; and operating within a defined budget. 

Experience  

Job related experience is desired.  Previous experience working with students who have autism is preferred.

Continuing Education/Training 

CPR Certificate and First Aid Certificate may be required

Work Schedule

7.0  hours per day 5 days a week. 

Salary range: Per CBA

Healthcare Benefits (SEBB): (All Employees who work 630 hours per school year are eligible.)

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability

Additional Benefits:

• Washington State Retirement (PERS, SERS & TERS)
• Paid Leave:

• Paid Holiday (260-day employees and bargaining groups that have holidays included within their CBA)
• Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Vacation (260-day employees only)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• VEBA (Non-Rep, WVEA, Principal, Directors and Superintendent(s) ONLY)

Salary : $22 - $26