2024-2025 Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional

Early Childhood Paraprofessional
Blue Springs School District
2024-2025 School year

Position Summary:
The job of Early Childhood Paraprofessional is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the educational process with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision, care and instruction of students in the regular classrooms; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non- classroom time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel.

• This job reports to Assigned Teacher.
• This position is a Full Time (179 day, 7.5 hours per day agreement), Benefits Eligible.
• The salary range for this position $25,508 – 35,174. Salary will be commensurate with Full Time, parallel years of experience.

Essential Functions:

• Aids the immediate administration of first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g., diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication, etc.) for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs for students.
• Assists with implementing student's daily schedule and behavior plan (e.g., class schedule, medication, appetite, transfer arrangement, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a supportive learning environment.
• Attends to and guides classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher (e.g., math, science, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills, writing, verbal skills, etc.) for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing instructional objectives.
• Communicates with various personnel (e.g., supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, bus drivers, nurse, therapist, and parents, etc.) for the purpose of assisting in data collection, evaluating progress, and/or implementing educational objectives.
• Maintains instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records; performs clerical duties (e.g., supplies, copying, set-up classroom before/after, hand out/collect papers, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items, providing written reference, and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments, accommodations and/or modifications (e.g. read stories, listen to students read, providing writing assistance, facilitate activities, computer learning programs, etc.) for the purpose of practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching instructional goals and grade level standards.
• Oversees various classroom management duties (e.g., tests, homework, make-up work, data collection, preparation of classroom material, etc.) for the purpose of supporting teachers in the instruction process.
• Participates in training, meetings, and in-service presentations (e.g., first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, classroom management, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information related to job functions.
• Reports incidents relating to specific students (e.g., health concerns, accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel and ensuring the safety of students.
• Responds to emergency situations (e.g., injured student, fights, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Supports classroom teachers and other school personnel for the purpose of assisting them in the implementation of curriculum and teaching methodologies and the educational goals.
• Watches over students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g., rest rooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.

Other Functions:

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and handling conflicts that arise from students.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: instructional procedures and practices; age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures; conflict resolution; and stages of child development/ behavior.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals; work with similar types of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; working with constant interruptions; working without supervision; and being patient.

Responsibility:
Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.

Work Environment:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawl.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Experience: Job related experience is desired.
Education: 60 College Credit Hours or Passing Score on ParaPro Assessment or Complete the 20 hour Substitute Certificate Course located in this link:
https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/certification/how-do-i-become-paraprofessional-and-do-i-need-be-certified
Equivalency: Any combination of education, training, and/or experience which demonstrates ability to perform the required duties. A typical qualifying background would include 60 hours college credit, or passing score on ParaPro Assessment, or Complete the 20-hour Substitute Certificate Course. Previous experience working in classrooms or a combination of experience and post high school training is desirable.


Equal Opportunity Employer 1/29/25