Pre Kindergarten Paraprofessional

Pre Kindergarten Paraprofessional at Joliet Public Schools District 86

• Position:
  Paraprofessional
• Position Guide:
  Non‑Certificated Personnel
• Full‑Time: 6 Hours – 9 Months
• Part‑Time: 5 Hours – 9 Months
• Bargaining Unit Position
• Non‑Exempt

• Principal
• Assistant Principal
• Student Advisor
• Program Coordinator
• Student Services Coordinator
• Classroom Teacher

• School Principal
• Coordinators
• Parents
• Other Faculty and Office Staff

Under the direction of the Principal or Assistant Principal and assigned classroom teacher, the paraprofessional assists in providing instruction to individuals or small groups of students in a classroom or instructional setting; performs various tasks in assisting with the educational needs associated with the particular program the paraprofessional is assigned to.

Paraprofessionals may function in instructional‑based, physically‑management based, or medically‑based roles. Job responsibilities may shift among these roles depending on the needs of the students. The information contained in this description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned.

• Valid State of Illinois Professional Educator License with Self‑Contained General Education Endorsement or Educator License with Stipulations (PARA)
• High School Diploma or minimum of 30 semester hours of college credit/degree preferred
• Must be NCLB highly qualified
• Demonstrated concern for child’s well‑being
• Willingness to accept instruction

• Prepare for classroom and/or other assigned activities under the teacher’s and/or principal’s direction.
• Assist the classroom teacher with instruction and supervision of students during classroom activities.
• Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce new skills initially introduced by the classroom teacher.
• Assist the classroom teacher in devising and implementing strategies for reinforcing skills based on data.
• Maintain anecdotal notes, written observations, and other approved forms of documentation for students when instructed to do so by the classroom teacher.
• Assist with critical daily activities.
• Communicate effectively with the public and district personnel using tact, courtesy, and good judgment.
• Perform support functions requiring independent judgment, decision‑making, and problem‑solving in accordance with established policies and regulations.
• Maintain privacy of sensitive and confidential information.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Perform general clerical duties such as preparation of instructional materials, scoring student work, preparing materials for classroom use, etc.
• Operate a variety of office equipment such as copy machines, computers, and printers.
• Possess language skills including composition, punctuation, spelling and correct usage.
• Attend building meetings and in‑service training.
• Commit to ongoing professional development.

• Understands developmental characteristics of the age group and exceptional students.
• Familiar with the teaching strategy the teacher wants to use.
• Provides reinforcement as planned.
• Aware of students’ strengths and weaknesses.
• Provides the teacher with feedback on success/failure of student understanding.
• Follows lesson plans developed by certified staff.
• Clarifies directions and procedures.
• Uses clear, age‑appropriate spoken/written sign language and vocabulary.
• Asks questions of high quality with adequate wait time for student response.
• Promotes classroom interaction.
• Assists individual students or small groups with tasks.
• Engages all students in discussion and encourages them to formulate questions.
• Links content to students’ prior knowledge and experience.
• Works with a variety of instructional grouping patterns to foster engagement.
• Uses a variety of instructional strategies to meet learner needs.
• Provides timely, specific feedback to learners.
• Assesses student progress through data observation and recording.
• Responsible for students with specific medical needs (e.g., toileting assistance, feeding, catheterization,…