Paraprofessional​/Shared

Paraprofessional

Each staff member shall make every effort, within the area of his/her professional expertise, to instruct students in their charge in accordance with the special education and general education curriculum and course of study adopted by the Board of Education. Demonstrates interest and aptitude for working with youth, and evidence of good moral character. The position requires a minimum of high school diploma/GED, with completion of the ETS Para Pro Assessment or a minimum of an associate's degree/60 college credits.

Experience with students with disabilities, autism, or behavioral needs preferred as is a substitute certificate. The paraprofessional must successfully complete the district's onboarding process and comply with all relevant district policies and regulations and state and federal laws.

The paraprofessional has the duties and responsibilities commonly associated with this position, including (but not limited to) the following, which are performed directly or through the proper delegation of authority, within the framework of the general laws of New Jersey, the regulations of the NJ State Department of Education, the policies and rules of the Nutley School District, and the terms of the contract with the Nutley Education Association, with all of which he/she is expected to be familiar.

This position can work with students ages 3-years-old up until 21 years-old. The paraprofessional will enable the classroom teacher to attend to the individual needs of the students, while he/she provides additional support to students in the classroom. This position is full-time. This position offers health benefits and participates in the State PERS pension plan.

Under the direct supervision of a certified teacher, the duties of the paraprofessional will include: instruction, behavior, and classroom management. The paraprofessional will assist in the implementation of individual education plans (IEPs) for the students, correct student work under the supervision of the teacher, prepare materials for instruction as directed by the teacher, and assist in administration of tests. The paraprofessional will implement discrete trial programs and methodologies of ABA under the direction of the teacher, Child Study Team (CST), or Behaviorist.

The paraprofessional will work with individual students with special needs, work with small groups of students as assigned, and assist in creating a welcoming classroom environment. The paraprofessional will also assist with data collection and graphing of data under the direction of the teacher, CST, or BCBA. The paraprofessional will assist with the physical demands of students by lifting, positioning, putting students in supportive devices, and transferring students from wheelchairs for toileting and for position change.

The paraprofessional will assist, where appropriate, loading and unloading students from transportation buses and vans. The paraprofessional will also assist in taking care of the physical needs of the special education student, including putting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, and pupil hygiene.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities include: excellent integrity and good moral character and initiative, ability to respectfully manage students, including students with developmental disabilities, knowledge of child, adolescent, and/or teen growth and development and appropriate classroom practices, ability to maintain confidentiality, ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral form, ability to remain calm under trying circumstances, ability to reinforce lesson plans to support the educational program, ability to follow directions from the teacher, ability to provide personal attention to students and work with small groups to assist with instruction, ability to promote a positive and inclusive classroom, assisting students having a wide range of maturity and developmental levels, or with disabilities, ability to discuss problems affecting students' progress and with the teacher and, if so directed, with other professional staff, ability to demonstrate flexibility to work with students and staff, ability to carry out assignments to completion, ability to have strong, positive communication and interaction skills when dealing with co-workers, students, administrators, parents and/or the community, ability to follow and support school safety plan and procedures.

Salary $28,778 Annual