Paraeducator, Special Education and Transitional Kindergarten; FTE - Prescott Early Childhood Education

Para-Educator, Special Education

Under the direction of assigned supervisor, assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individuals or small groups of students in an assigned educational program; assist children with meeting the goals and objectives of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP); attend to the physical and health needs of students; monitor and report student progress regarding educational performance; perform a variety of clerical and supportive duties related to classroom activities and classroom management.

This position is distinguished from other student support roles in that, in addition to providing instructional support to students with disabilities under the guidance of a certificated teacher, employees in these positions are primarily responsible for attendant physical duties to enable students with disabilities to have equal educational opportunities, assisting with basic health needs of students with disabilities, as trained, and assisting the classroom teacher in creating with setting up and maintaining engaging academic environments.

This position may be used as a step towards further professional development opportunities as an Instructional Support Specialist and/or certificated position.

Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to students (in Pre-K through Young Adult) in an assigned classroom or program including, but not limited to Special Day Class (SDC) or other programs; assist students with disabilities to meet the goals and objectives included in their IEP.

Read IEP goals to support instruction to maximize student progress when trained by appropriate staff.

Communicate with teachers and/or parents as may be required to assist in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.

Implement classwide and individual behavior strategies to effectively maintain a safe learning environment when trained by appropriate staff, when needed.

Communicate professionally with other staff and parents, both written and verbal, to provide seamless and transparent communication between all parties.

Implement, under direction of teacher, lesson plans; assist individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher; monitor and oversee student drills, practices and assignments for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching academic goals and grade level standards.

Assist students with washing, toileting (may include lifting on and off toilet), diapering, dressing and undressing, grooming and other activities necessary for maintaining personal hygiene and neatness.

Assist with the transportation of students; position and reposition students requiring the use of medical equipment, wheelchairs, braces, and other orthopedic equipment; make minor adjustments on lifting and other equipment as necessary; assure the safe use and operation of wheelchairs, prosthetic devices and other equipment.

Assist with the loading and unloading of students on and from buses, automobiles, wheelchairs, stretchers and gurneys.

May volunteer, on an annual basis, to be trained to administer Diastat and will administer Diastat as needed. May also volunteer to perform medical procedures when trained and supervised by appropriate staff.

Provide basic first aid and specialized health care as needed and directed

Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures.

Assist the teacher in monitoring, motivating and training students with disabilities; observe and manage behavior of students according to approved procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior; follow the behavior intervention plan.

Perform a variety of clerical duties such as preparing, typing and duplicating instructional materials, scoring papers and recording grades; assist in keeping attendance; prepare and maintain student files as assigned.

Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas and displays, operating audio-visual equipment, and distributing and collecting papers, supplies and materials; confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.

Administer, monitor and score a variety of tests and assignments to comply with established test criteria and provide a reliable testing environment; rephrase materials and explain instructions and words.

Assist students in developing self-help, social and communication skills as assigned.

Notify immediately appropriate personnel and agencies, and follow established procedures when there is reasonable suspicion of substance abuse, child neglect, severe medical or social conditions or potential suicide.

Assist in monitoring lunchroom activities and mealtime procedures, including feeding and cleaning.

Assist in carrying out positive reinforcement procedures and reactive strategies identified in a behavior support plan, such as prompting student to switch to functionally equivalent replacement behavior and…