Anticipated 24-25 Special Education Paraprofessional

Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Calendar: 173 Days
Experience Required: Prior related work experience with children preferred.
Department: Aides/Paraprofessionals.
Direct Supervisor: Building Principal or Assigned Teacher.
Primary Work Location: School setting.
Certification: Proper certificate in related field.
Job Summary: Assisting in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom, interrelated resource rooms or in a self-contained classroom.
Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:
Work with Children

• Assist in implementing plans for instruction, monitor student behavior, provide information to appropriate school personnel.
• Work with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills.
• Understand individual student needs, interests, and abilities and apply this understanding in classroom implementation.
• Assist in formal and informal assessments of children.
• Collaborate with staff for the purpose of providing necessary support and information related to the student's progress as established in their Individualized Educational Program (IEP), for progress in DRDP and for SST and PBS purposes.
• Implement behavioral plans for students as designed by the IEP, PBS or SST teams for the purpose of assisting in meeting students' needs and providing a consistent environment under the direction of certified staff.
• Assist with the supervision of students during emergency drills, play periods, assemblies, and field trips.
• Assist with individual, small group and large group activities.
• Assist with classroom routines such as checking attendance, duplicating materials, washing, rinsing and sanitizing and helping students with clothing and toileting, including diapering and potty training.
• Participate in home visits, parent teacher conferences, other meetings with staff or parents as needed.

Process and Procedural Requirements

• Perform various administrative support and record keeping functions for the purpose of providing documentation and support efforts toward completion of expectations for the following:
  • Head Start (if applicable)
  • NAEYC accreditation
  • Missouri Department of Health, and Senior Services licensing
• Maintain instructional materials and data sheets for the purpose of ensuring availability of instructional materials and/or providing reliable information regarding student progress.
• Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Wash, rinse and sanitize toys, furniture and other materials and supplies and follow the sanitation expectations as stated by NAEYC.
• Assist teacher with data collection and data recording.
• Set up and clean up breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack.
• Perform other duties and clerical tasks as assigned.

Professional Development Responsibilities

• Attend meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. CPR, education strategies, specific disability education, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Complete fifteen hours of professional development, twelve of which must be approved by the State of Missouri for licensing.
• Document proof of training as required by funding sources.
• Maintain the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of fully licensed teachers.
• Participate in the in-service training programs, as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) for Position
An employee in this class must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:
Knowledge

• Special education compliance standards and indicators.
• Policies and procedures of the classroom environment.
• Behavior management procedures.
• Software applications including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Strong written and oral communications and relational skills.
• Using district-approved crisis intervention techniques.
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including computer, printer, calculator, and copier.
• Teaching social interaction and play skills.

Abilities

• Capable of physically assisting students with specials needs as required.
• Work effectively under the direction of others.
• Prepare and maintain thorough records.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Patience and assisting with self-help training.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, teachers, parents, and the public.

• Be proactive on maters of health and safety of the children.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to outside temperatures.
• Effectively welcome and embrace differences among employees and citizens.
• Must be able to successfully complete a background investigation.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed.

**This position description is a general guideline for work behavior and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all job duties. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. Must be able to successfully complete an intense background investigation.