Special Education Para-Professional

Para-Professional

The special education paraprofessional is a team member who works in collaboration with the special education and general education teachers under the inclusive model. The objective of the paraprofessional is to remove barriers that get in the way of success, encourage academic, social, and emotional growth, and to assist, aid, and monitor their student's success in the least restrictive environment for the student(s) on their caseload.

Founded in 1997, East Side Charter School is a free, public elementary school that educates students in Wilmington, Delaware. East Side prides itself on being a community-based school, using multiple partnerships, strong relationships with families, and a dedicated and hard-working faculty to ensure academic success for its students. East Side is in the midst of a dynamic turnaround effort that will have a profound impact in Wilmington.

East Side teachers play a significant role in ensuring that our students develop the character and skills necessary to being an influential and contributing member of the community and global society. This position is suited for someone who is willing to do "Whatever it Takes" to support our students in being successful in school and in life.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Collaborate with for the purpose of accountability and assisting in evaluating special education student progress and/or implementing IEP benchmarks.
• Lead small group/whole group to students in a variety of individual and group activities
• Assist the teacher in observing, recording, and charting behavior in accordance with formal Behavior Intervention Plans
• Prepare classroom materials related to students IEP goals or modifications/accommodations.
• Adapt classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting specific students on their caseload
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Monitors assigned students in all settings for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Minimum:
  Instructional Para-educator:
  Regular Education, Special Education, Service Student Support AND/OR Title I Instructional Para-educator:
  Library/Media, Regular Education, Special Education
• Preferred:
  Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution. Has or is eligible for State of Delaware certification as teacher in grade or content area.

Skills/Traits:

• Be driven to improve the minds and lives of students from underserved communities; dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help all the school's students achieve academic success
• Be passionate about academic learning and insistent on academic excellence and rigor at all times
• Be self-aware and know how to treat all members of the school's community with respect, appraises accurately his or her strengths and weaknesses, and is perceptive about how he or she is regarded
• Work urgently and be able to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives at once
• Be detail-oriented and self-directed with the ability to work independently and with a team
• Act entrepreneurially as an initiator, problem-solver, and creative thinker
• Have the ability to communicate with various audiences in an authentic and persuasive manner
• Possess strong written communication skills
• Be able to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives at once
• Be detail-oriented and self-directed and able to work independently on short- and long-term projects

Commitment and Compensation

Length of Work Year: 10 months and occasional evening and weekend commitments will also be required. Salary and Benefits:
Salary scale is commensurate with qualifications and experience.