Kindergarten Classroom Paraprofessional

Position Type:
School Support Staff/Paraprofessional, Kindergarten
Date Posted:
11/17/2023
Location:
Pear Park Elementary
Date Available:
11/17/2023
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled
Job Title: Paraprofessional, Kindergarten
Pay Program: Support Staff
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Building Leader
Pay Range: CH 5 $15.68 - $17.82
Work Year: 171 Days / 7 Hours
VISION: To Engage, Equip, and Empower Each and Every Student, Each and Every Day.
SUMMARY: Operating under the general supervision of the school's Principal and assigned Teacher, the employee will perform a variety of instructional support and clerical duties. Employee acts as a teacher resource working directly with students and reinforcing the D51 Learning Model preparing and assisting with core lessons, participating in students' reading or math programs, and other curriculum based instruction. The paraprofessional is an integral part of the District's social emotional learning programs leading students through example. This position is also often a point of contact for the staff, students, and parents entering the classroom environment and the employee must work cooperatively to facilitate these interactions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job Responsibility Descriptions

1. Assisting the teacher for the assigned classroom, the Kindergarten Paraprofessional works as a first point of contact helping the Teacher to deliver instructional curriculum and maintain the classroom learning environment. Supporting the Teacher in implementing the D51 Learning Model, the paraprofessional can be assigned a wide variety of tasks and duties that include but are not limited to preparing and instructing core lessons, participating in students' basic reading or math programs, developmentally appropriate social studies, and other curriculum based instruction. This role reinforces the Teacher's expectations for quality work by coaching and guiding students as assigned/appropriate. Duties include communicating back to the Teacher any observations regarding participation levels and effectiveness of instructive programs for student's performance-based learning plan(s).

1. Monitoring student behaviors and social emotional skills in a variety of school environments including playgrounds, library, snack/nap times, group activities, one-on-one tutoring, and many other situations is a continuous responsibility of this position. Paraprofessional may also be assigned before and/or after school bus stop monitoring duties as well and will accompany students to and from specials and various other destinations. Daily interactions with students give the employee an opportunity to provide guidance and impart self-management skills to enhance student(s) behavior(s) toward appropriate responses and choices. The paraprofessional is often a first-point-of-contact for demonstrating D51 Social Emotional Learning with students and there is an expectation for the person in this role to promote the District's mission for this topic.

1. Supporting the assigned Teacher preparing, creating, copying and compiling a wide variety of instructional and classroom materials and documents are typical duties for this paraprofessional role. Para may be assigned oversight of student assignments, copying, tracking, reviewing, grading, etc. assisting students through the process of both in classroom and out of classroom work. Para also assists the Teacher with classroom learning aids installing and maintaining bulletin board updates, visual aids, sensory learning tools, and other in class materials.

1. Aiding the teacher with student assessment which may include testing session logistics and other clerical duties related to testing periods is an important aspect of the para's duties. Assigned tasks may be in classroom or one-on-one sessions and may include duties such as, scheduling, demographic data entry, and providing for testing make-up sessions.

1. Participating in staff meetings and/or building level in-service training programs as appropriate. Classroom paraprofessional may also participate in and assist activities outside of the classroom including, field trips and off-site tours. Note: The actual duties of this position may vary based on the current building assignment.

1. Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent required and*;
• Minimum two years of experience working with pre-adolescent children;
• Preference given for credit hours in early-childhood education, education, or healthcare and/or prior school district experience;
• Bilingual oral and written skills, English/Spanish, are desirable;
• *Acceptable demonstration of education and/or experience is at the sole discretion of the district.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid Colorado driver's license or other form of identification required;
• Successful passing of criminal background check required for hire;
• Attend and successfully complete all staff development training as required by state law or as directed by supervisor.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Well-developed oral communication and phone etiquette skills in English;
• Well-developed knowledge of and interest in literature, language, linguistic units, and literacy;
• Well-developed interpersonal relationship building skills, especially as it relates to students and the school environment;
• Strong ability to use de-escalation techniques and to defuse stressful and possibly volatile situations;
• Strong working knowledge of laws and statutes as outlined in the:
  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015),
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA, 1996),
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990),
• Strong ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job, especially as related to student issues;
• Ability to work independently as needed with minimal direction and/or supervision;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and frequent interruptions in a timely manner;
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible with critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities;
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, building, and department procedures;
• Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively and cooperatively with people and students from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds;
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment, and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING KNOWLEDGE:

• Operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals;
• Operating knowledge of and experience with office software such as word processing and spreadsheets;
• Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment, such as telephones, copier, fax machine, E-mail, etc.

Salary & Benefits:
View all salary schedules for the current school year at: https://d51schools.org/employment/job_opportunities/salary_schedules
Information regarding D51 Benefits can be found here: https://www.d51schools.org/employment/current_employees/employee_benefits