Special Education Paraprofessional

Job Summary

Assist the teacher in working with individual and small groups of students to achieve learning objectives as devised by the teacher, provide for the physical and/or medically related needs of the students, and, as directed, perform a wide variety of tasks following standard practices and procedures and complying with administrative requirements.

• Minimum high school diploma required.
• The State of Ohio Paraprofessional Standards require "two years education at an institution of higher learning OR an Associate Degree (or higher) OR demonstration through a formal state or local assessment, knowledge of, and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing and mathematics."
• Possess or be able to secure a valid Ohio Education Aide permit from the Ohio Department of Education.
• Willingness to attend a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of job‑related in‑service training each school year.
• Knowledge and understanding of the special needs conditions of the students, as relayed by the teacher.
• Must be able to stand and sit for prolonged periods of time; bend, stoop, push, pull, and lift 25 pounds alone and up to 50 pounds with the help of another staff person.
• Possess fine motor skills to assist the teacher and students with cutting, pasting, arranging materials, or using manipulatives for individual projects or class arrangements.
• Demonstrated experience in a position requiring the use of independent judgment and discretion.
• Experience functioning in a position or organization that requires group or team effort toward a goal.
• Exhibit skills or a willingness to learn the various skills necessary to meet the physical needs of the students, which may include toileting assistance for some students.
• Willingness to assist students in the cafeteria with food selection, consumption, and clean‑up.
• In the restroom:
  • Change diapers or pampers, dispose of soiled diapers.
• The ability to work inside and outside in all weather to assist students with a handicapping condition, embark or debark the building or transportation vehicles.
• Willingness to accompany teacher/administrator on a home visit for a prospective or active student.

• Assist students in performing activities that have been determined by the teacher.
• Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assist with student assessment.
• Observe learning difficulties and report such matters to the teacher.
• Assist in development of receptive and expressive language.
• Adequately learn to use sign language for selected hearing‑impaired or non‑verbal students.
• Assist the teacher in charting behavior.
• Assist the teacher in behavior management strategies.
• Assist with record‑keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assist individual students with cutting and pasting.
• Assist in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Observe students and notify teacher if adaptive positioning equipment is required.
• Encourage and reinforce positive behavior.
• Accompany students in art and music activities and assist when needed.
• Assist in the supervision of students during playtime/recess and while the teacher is out of the room or working at their desk.
• Construct, copy, distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Prepare art materials and assist in art projects.
• Learn to use visual‑aid equipment for sight‑impaired students.
• Operate media equipment and computer as needed.
• In absence of teacher, provide orientation and extra help to substitute teacher.
• Assist with collaboration of all students in the building.
• Advise substitute teacher or proper authority regarding time to administer prescribed medication.
• Accompany and assist students to and from the classrooms, library, school office, gymnasium, or lunchroom.
• Accompany students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Promote independence:
  • Orientation mobility to school building and grounds.
  • Promote self‑care in bathroom, lunchroom, gymnasium, and all areas outside as well as inside the classroom.
  • Assist students in moving…