Preschool Paraeducator

Para educator Position

The Amherst Public School District is seeking a trained or trainable Para educator to work in our integrated preschool program, which includes ABA specialized programming with students on the Autism Spectrum or other disabilities. This position includes providing direct support and instruction to student(s) under the direction of a special education teacher at developmentally appropriate levels for three to five year old children in preschool.

It also includes supporting students in one or more of the following areas as applicable to the specific program noted above: expressive and receptive language, social skills, self-regulation, adaptive living skills, and sensory processing.

Qualified applicants should possess, have experience or willing to be trained with the following:

• Training and experience with the identified population:
  Autism or other disabilities; experience with young children 3 to 5 year old children preferred.
• Commitment towards inclusion that benefits students socially, emotionally and academically
• Experience with a diverse population of students within a multicultural school / community
• Strong positive, interpersonal skills
• Strong ability to multitask and work within a fast paced environment focused on student learning and progress
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to collect data as outlined by students' individual programming
• Able to assist with diapering and toileting including toilet training

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described below 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 regularly required to use hands to assist students performing tasks, speak to deliver instruction and behavioral directives, and hear.

The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The employee may also be required to use physical interventions to maintain the safety of students.

This position is full time APEA Bargaining Unit C Highly, qualified candidates who are bilingual/bi-cultural are encouraged to apply