Position Title: Apprentice Teacher - Paraprofessional II

Department: Special Education or General Education

Reports to: School Site Principal 

Classification: Classified Full-time, Non-Exempt

Contract Period: 9 Month (185 days with some variance depending on the year)

Compensation: Hourly ESP Salary Schedule

ASD offers district funded employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to benefit eligible employees. Other benefits include (as eligible): paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, free transportation for employees from Carbondale to Aspen, employee assistance program, wellness program, and supplemental insurance (ie cancer, disability, etc).

Position Summary

Work with classroom teachers in grades Kindergarten through twelfth, as assigned, to provide students with different avenues to acquire content; provide an organized yet flexible way of proactively adjusting teaching and learning methods to accommodate each student’s learning needs and preferences; and to assist in the development of teaching materials and assessment measures so that all students within the classroom can learn effectively. The AT must possess a desire to learn and demonstrate flexibility.

Position Responsibilities

• Assist teachers with strategies of differentiation in content, process, product and learning environments based on the individualized, flexible small groups 
• The AT will be responsible for lesson, curriculum or classroom instruction preparation as directed by the assigned classroom teacher(s) or administration. The AT will also be responsible for assessing student work, enhancing room environment and other duties as assigned by classroom teacher(s) or administration. 
• Assess students regularly and use results of diagnostic, evaluative and testing procedures to learn about student readiness and monitor growth 
• Promote greater independence for students progressing in the general education curriculum and accelerate the rate of achievement 
• Elicit greater student engagement; reinforce curriculum; and offer remediated instruction where necessary and/or accelerated instruction where necessary knowledge in the use of technology for skill building centers
• Collaborate with general education teachers to plan for identified small groups 
• Plan and pursue a program of personal professional growth and participate in appropriate district inservice activities 
• Perform student supervision, as directed by principal.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
• Curriculum and implementation
• Classroom management
• Professional communication norms and standards (written and oral)
• Modern office procedures and methods
• Principles and procedures of record-keeping
• Microsoft Office and/or the Google Suite of office software
• Ability to:
• Utilize the Creative Curriculum to plan developmentally appropriate activities and opportunities which foster exploration, independence, and understanding to establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and enjoyable learning environment
• Support the social and emotional development of all children to advance intellectual and physical competence
• Demonstrate concern for personal differences between individuals to develop the interests and capabilities of all children
• Foster an enjoyment of learning while helping young children understand their roles as members of a group to establish positive and productive reciprocal relationships within the classroom
• Record the progression of student learning and development using Teaching Strategies GOLD
• Assess the children's needs and developmental progression on an ongoing basis, and in cooperation with the Director, adjusts the program/curriculum to focus upon the needs of the individual child and/or group
• Promote communication with parents through daily progress reports, newsletters, and parent-teacher conferences, maintaining the confidentiality of all information regarding parents and their children
• Complete on-going professional learning as appropriate and required for licensing

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be in compliance with the requirements of 7702.45 of the Colorado Department of Human Services.
• Maintain current CPR/First Aid certificate - training provided by the Aspen School District 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Spanish bilingual 

Work Environment

• Classroom setting
• Office environment; exposure to computer screens
• Mostly clean and comfortable surroundings
• Exposure to noise and bodily fluids

Essential Physical Requirements

• Physical: Reaching, walking, standing, sitting,squatting, stooping typing, talking, crouching, kneeling, seeing, and hearing. Occasional lifting of up to 40lbs.

Acknowledgment

The successful candidate will be required to follow any instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Director. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change the job description and related duties at any time. 

Created: August 2024