LJ Paraprofessional SEAL Academy

Paraprofessional, Special Ed - Mild/Moderate-Severe/Profound I

Instructional aides shall work under the supervision of the teacher and assist in the daily instructional and non-instructional activities for identified special education students.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Regularly lifts 100 lbs. independently and/or pushes/pulls 100+ lb. students
• Assists in implementing student individual educational plans
• Administers medication according to policy and regulations
• Collaborates in the design and creation of educational materials for the classroom
• Understands and is aware of medical needs of students
• Assists with behavior management programs and techniques
• Feeds or helps students to feed themselves
• Assists students with self-help skills
• Helps with required forms and records
• Assists with loading and unloading of students on the buses
• Loads/unloads wheelchair bound students on the bus, if needed
• Assists in the sanitation of the room and equipment
• Manages and instructs students in one-on-one situations and/or in small group situations
• Assists teacher in routine classroom operation
• Assists pupils with life-long learning exercises
• Assists with student exercise programs using proper body mechanics and safe transfer techniques

Supervisory responsibilities include supervising students when the teacher is not present in the classroom.

Qualification requirements include:

• Completion of at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (60 semester hours) or obtain an associate’s degree is required, and experience with mild/moderate, and/or severe/profound children preferred.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in a one-on-one situation and/or small group situations to students, parents, community members, and other employees of the district.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs at the secondary level.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in various situations.
• Ability to work with severely multiple-impaired children.
• Ability to work with emotionally, physically, and/or mentally impaired children.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and related software.
• Ability to interact with public and other staff.
• Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Ability to tell where sound is coming from.
• Ability to cope with multiple demands from several people.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

Physical demands include standing, walking, talking, hearing, using hands, tools, or controls, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and adjusting focus.

Work environment includes exposure to infection and injury at a greater risk than the average employee, working near moving mechanical parts, and moderate noise levels.

Terms of employment and evaluation include a nine-month school year contract, salary and fringe benefits determined by the Board of Education, and an annual performance evaluation completed by the building principal with input from the supervising teacher.