Special Education Paraprofessional

Job Title

Provide support to the instructional program within the assigned classroom with specific responsibility to assist in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom; assist in implementing plans for instruction; monitor student behavior during non-classroom time; provide information to appropriate school personnel; and attend IEP meetings as assigned.

This job reports to the principal.

Essential Functions

• Provides consistent interaction with students for the purpose of educating students.
• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc (e.g. modify student work to help limit behavior issues while still accomplishing goals, etc. ) for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom.
• Assists with appropriate behavioral intervention techniques as directed by the supervising teacher for the purpose of ensuring a safe environment for the student and classroom.
• Assists students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments (e.g. read stories, listen to students read, provide writing assistance, reinforce lessons, facilitate activities, etc. ) for the purpose of practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts, implementing IEP plans, and assisting students in reaching academic goals and grade level standards.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions (minimum of 15 contact training hours during first year; 10 contact training hours in subsequent years) as directed by building principal and/or the Director of Special Services.
• Attends work on a regular and predictable basis for the purpose of providing people with high quality services and instruction.
• Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, etc. ) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.
• Records daily, weekly logs for behaviors, academics and prompts for the purpose of ensuring accurate information is kept on each student.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, restroom, assemblies, hallway movement, field trips, library, lunchroom, bus loading/unloading, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participates in IEP meetings as needed.
• Assists in provision of physical care of students as needed including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Assist students with disabilities according to their individualized needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff members for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP goals and objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of information about children and their families in accordance with Board policy and law.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

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 skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; communicating clearly both verbally and in writing.

Knowledge is required to perform basic math including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios: read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the…