Special Education Paraprofessional- Functional Skills Classroom

Job Description

SHAWNEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Job Title: Special Ed Teaching Assistant/Paraprofessional - Functional Skills

Reports To: Teacher, Principal, Director of Special Education

Site: Will Rogers Elementary

Qualifications

Credentials: None

Education: Associate Degree or 48 hours college credit or pass the Oklahoma General Education Test. Must have or willing to complete the Special Education Paraprofessional course.

Training or Experience Required: Previous work or volunteer experience with elementary age students preferred. Assignment may require sign language competency and auxiliary aid experience. Paraprofessional training may be necessary.

Job Summary: Performs entry level to semi-skilled level duties under general supervision to assist the Teacher provide teaching environment to improve and develop the student's self-care, physical, social, communication, and intellectual skills. The overall goal is to move students into the mainstream education environment. Under the direct supervision of a certified special education staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to contribute to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies And Abilities

• Communication Skills (oral, written, or business): Basic communication skills to exchange information, give/receive simple instructions and respond to inquiries. Includes filling out forms.
• Maintains confidentiality of information about students.
• Data Recording/Record Keeping: Performs simple data recording/record keeping operations requiring logging, filing or posting single entry items either manually or by computer.
• Mathematical Skills: Performs routine computations requiring knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using whole numbers, fractions, decimals and/or percentages.
• Reads and interprets routine written or printed materials such as charts, diagrams, maps or instruction material.
• Business Machines (like computers, copiers, etc.): Uses business machines that can be easily learned from simple manuals or simple verbal instructions. Such machines include but are not limited to photocopiers, laminator, duplicator, CRT/computers (no software experience).
• May on occasion use more difficult machines without any proficiency required, such as data entry.
• Contact with Others: Has contact with members of own staff or district and the public.
• Some interpersonal interaction or communication is required outside of the specific classroom environment.
  
  

Essential Job Functions/Performance Requirements

• Assists with instruction and activities for individuals or for groups as assigned by teacher. Supervises students in instructional settings, off-campus activities and during non-instructional activities such as recess, assemblies, emergency drills, lunch periods, getting on and off buses.
• Prepares, creates, and/or adapts instructional materials as directed by the teacher to reinforce skill learning based on individual needs. Prepares bulletin boards and other teaching aids. Assists students with assignments. Sets up and operates equipment for instructional purposes.
• Serves as chief source of information and assistance for substitute teachers. And at all times applies the "need to know" rule in regard to confidentiality.
• Assists teacher with student behavior management strategies. Restrains out of control students when necessary.
• Grades student work; records grades; completes necessary paperwork.
• Checks and records student attendance. Makes other reports and records as required.
• Performs housekeeping duties within the classroom to ensure it is neat and clean.
• Assists students with hygiene/bathroom (changing diapers, etc.) functions, eating, dressing, and assists students with changing clothes if necessary. Assists with lifting/transferring students in wheelchairs or walkers.
• From I.E.P. and direct instructions from the O.T. and/or P.T. positions students as required and assists students while they are working with the Occupation/Physical Therapists consultant in receipt of their therapy program. Participates in I.E.P. meetings when deemed necessary by Teacher/Principal.
• Operates photocopier, laminator, duplicator and computer.
• Performs playground, hallway, cafeteria duties as needed.
• Attends in-service in Special Education to keep up with new policies and procedures.
• Attends and supervises students with computerized and community-based instruction.
• Maintains confidentiality of all students.
• Assists teacher in obtaining supplies necessary for instructional activities.
• Assists teacher with compiling student's work to send home in folders. Assists with parent communication only as directed by the teacher.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Other Performance Measures

• Requires good customer service/people skills to resolve problems and provide information as requested.
• It requires following safety guidelines and policies, inclusive of the District Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens, to reduce accident or injury to self or to students.
• It requires following school dress standards, proper attendance or leave policies, and other work-habits concerns.
• Creativity, initiative and effective problem solving are important to the success of the position.
• Must be able to cooperate with other staff members and have a positive attitude towards staff, students, and the public to enhance educational goals.
  
  

Supervision exercised: Employee does not supervise other employees.

Complies with Shawnee's Mission Statement in which students are to be provided with skills, knowledge and attitudes to become lifelong learners, complex thinkers, and responsible citizens in an ever-changing global society.

Physical/Mental Requirements And Working Conditions

• Sits about 3 hours per day; stands and walks about 4 ½ hours per day.
• Requires frequent bending/stooping; occasional squatting/crouching; crawling/kneeling; reaching above shoulder; and occasional pushing/pulling of wheelchair.
• Requires occasional lifting of up to 35-50 pounds to lift and position children into various seating arrangements in the school building, within the community, and on the bus.
• Assists with toilet duties, and occasional carrying educational materials.
• In secondary schools, due to the size of the disabled student, the incumbent does more lifting/carrying and maneuvering.
• Employee must possess manual dexterity/visual ability to maneuver and operate equipment, write, cut, draw, and complete the forms.
• Must be able to hear quiet voices and read body language, provide instructions.
• At times is exposed to hitting, biting, kicking, and other physical resistance by students.
• Must take special care in handling students with special concerns due to bodily fluids and to disinfect equipment.
• Must be able to communicate on the telephone and in person.
• Must be able to get around the classroom, media center, cafeteria, inside and outside the entire campus, etc.
• Must be able to maneuver/carry VCR/TV up steps, to portable classrooms.
• On occasion, students exhibit explosive behavior and are out of control and throw objects, fight, kick, spit, bite and scratch and need to be restrained.
• Must be agile and able to think and move quickly to respond to out of control student behavior.
  
  

Terms of Employment: In compliance with Negotiated Contract and/or State Law. Salary to be established by the Board. (remaining days of 180-day contract)

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with Board policy.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Revised: April 1, 2020