Special Education Paraprofessional - Specialized Placement Classroom

Position Purpose

-  Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.

Essential Job Functions

-  Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills. 

-  Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.

-  Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests, and assessments.

-  Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.

-  Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.

-  Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.

-  Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, gym, corridor,  and other related non-instructional areas.

-  Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.

-  Constructs, copies, and distributes and uses educational materials as needed.

-  Assists the teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.

-  Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement of IEP objectives, etc.

-  Participates in the IEP process and serves as a resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.

-  Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.

-  Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures, and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.

Additional Duties:

-  Assist guidance, pupil services staff, or building administration, as needed.

-  Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note:   The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

-  Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

Travel Requirements

-  Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

-  Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.

-  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.

-  Ability to understand, apply, and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).

-  Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.

-  Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.

-  Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.

-  Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.

-  Ability to report work orally or in writing to the supervisor as required.

-  Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

-  Works in standard office and school building environments.

-  Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

Note:   Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory, and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.

Qualifications Profile

-  Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying.  Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

-  High School diploma or equivalent.

-  Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.