Special Education Paraprofessional (3)

Special Education Paraprofessionals are generally responsible for assisting teachers in the classroom and/or concentrated assistance for specific students in the classroom. Paraprofessionals supervise students outside of the classroom and provide administrative support for the teacher.

Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent plus one of the following qualifications:
2. Complete at least two (2) years of study at an accredited institution of higher education (equal to 60 semester hours) or  completed and passed the PRAXIS
3. Meet a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment
4. Knowledge of, and the ability to assist in, instructing reading, writing, and mathematics
5. Knowledge of, and the ability to assist in, instructing reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate
6. Desire to assist students with special needs in a learning environment
7. Emotional maturity and stability are necessary for the specialized work involved
8. General clerical skills
9. Computer data entry experience preferred
10. Ability to understand the physical, health, and emotional behaviors and challenges of students with exceptionalities
11.  Ability to fulfill the dexterity and physical requirements of the work

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provides instructional, vocational, and developmental assistance to students with exceptionalities under the supervision of a certified professional
2. Assists with the preparation and implementation of learning activities
3. Maintains accurate and complete records of students’ activities and behaviors, which may require the use of a computer to enter student data, complete forms, schedules, and reports
4. Responds to requests for crisis intervention under the direction of certified personnel
5. Cares for students with special health needs according to an individual health care plan
6. Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning or materials, or skills initially introduced and outlined by certified staff
7. Assists the certified staff in devising special strategies for reinforcing learning materials and skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities
8. Performs assigned supervision of students during lunch periods, play periods, and on field trips
9. Performs assigned non-instructional classroom duties, such as snack time, toileting, and clothing routines
10. Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in the school environment and community
11. Participates in in-service training programs as approved
12. Performs other duties assigned by the Supervisor

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Physical Demands:    

The physical demands 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 frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools, or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift to 50 lbs. or more.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.      

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.