Special Education Paraprofessional

Special Education Paraprofessional/Para educator

Reports To:

Building/Department Administrator

Location:

East Haven Academy

Education:

Minimum of an Associates Degree or the equivalent college credits (60) or a passing score on the CT Para Pro exam is required. A bachelor's degree is preferred.

Salary:
This position is a 10-month, 29.5 hour position. The hourly range is Cat I (Associate's/60 credits or Para Pro) $20.71, Cat II (College/University degree) $21.22 or Cat III (CT teaching certificate) $23.62 per hour. This position has limited benefits as outlined in the current East Haven Paraprofessional and Teachers Aides contract.

Position Summary:

Supervise and support students within the school setting under the guidance of certified staff, including but not limited to regular and special education classrooms. Assist the district in providing a safe and secure environment to support the behavioral, instructional, and educational benefits of students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• To assist, support, and work closely with teachers, administrators, specialized support staff, in providing a safe and secure environment to support the behavioral, instructional, and educational benefits of students
• Supervise, monitor, escort and/or support students within the school setting, including but not limited to regular and special education classrooms, specials, activities, passing time, arrival/dismissal, and communal areas
• Under the supervision of the classroom and special education teachers and/or Literacy and Numeracy coaches, works to implement instruction and curriculum for student(s) which may include specialized software specific to the instruction
• Works with individual students and/or small groups in a push-in or pull-out model to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced and taught by certified staff
• Assists the certified staff in devising special strategies for reinforcing appropriate behavior and conduct, learning materials and skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, language, interests and abilities
• Administers, scores, and maintains records of student achievement and diagnostic tests as the teacher recommends for the individual student(s)
• Monitors work, corrects papers, and supervises use of technology and/or curriculum-based testing and makeup work as the specialized or certified staff assigns
• Performs clerical and instructional duties as the certified and support staff assigns
• Alerts the certified staff to any problem or special information about any individual student
• Performs assigned supervision of students during lunch periods, recess, emergency drills, assemblies, field trips and other situations
• When requested, serves as a resource and support to the certified teacher, Intervention/Reading or Math Coach Team and/or IEP/SRBI/ESL Team(s)
• Participates in in-service training programs as assigned
• Serves as a source of information, support and assistance to any substitute teacher assigned in the regular teacher's absence
• Support and assistance with non-pervasive toileting and hygiene care (accidents)
• Is trained by the district to assist with any adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs or walkers
• Assists in the implementation of behavior strategies and plans as assigned by the teacher or support staff
• Performs other related duties/assignments as assigned

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following may be assigned to a Paraprofessional:

• Reporting directly to Administrator, Special Education Teacher, and/or BCBA supporting the specific student(s)
• Implement a Behavior Intervention Plan ("BIP") for a specific student(s) as assigned by a BCBA and/or Administrator
• Collecting data on behavior instances as part of assignment
• Assists students with support of pervasive personal care, hygiene, feeding and toileting

Evaluation:
Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Classified Personnel.

Physical and Mental Demands/Work Environment:

• Must be mobile with the ability to get from one location in the office or work site(s) to other locations in the office or work site(s).
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry objects less than thirty (30) pounds
• Ability to perform manipulative skills such as writing and typing
• Ability to see and read objects closely, as wiring, labels on equipment, reading/proofreading a report, using a computer monitor, filing and/or retrieving information from a filing system and verifying the accuracy of financial information
• Ability to hear normal sounds with background noise, as in using a telephone or radio, distinguish verbal communication and communicate through speech, including using radio
• Ability to learn and acquire an understanding of new information, methodologies and techniques and how they apply to school goals and operations
• Memory adequate to perform tasks/assignments given over long periods of time.
• Ability to concentrate on a…