Paraeducator- Special Education

Summary Description:

The role of a Special Education Para-Educator is to provide assistance in implementing plans and programs related to the academic or functional skill attainment for pre-school age students with visual, language, social, cognitive, physical, and/or emotional learning challenges. Works directly with students, individually or in small groups, and performs clerical tasks as assigned.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assists classroom Teacher in teaching a variety of skills to students who are visually impaired and/or multiple handicapped
• Works directly with students individually and / or in groups under the direction of the Teacher

• Prepares materials and equipment to be used by the students in the classroom
• Follows through on teacher’s lesson plans, classroom routine, assigned tasks and direction from therapists
• Provides assistance to classroom teacher in daily routines with students such as eating, toileting, positioning and handling (lifting), data documentation and other clerical tasks
• Adheres to agency policy and protocol

• Flexible to assist where there is a need
• Attends scheduled staff development training and meetings
• Completes Medicaid documentation

Physical Requirement:

• Ability to move body in many different ways in order to interact with and position students such as: standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling consistently throughout the day and in a daily basis
• Required to routinely lift a minimum of 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds
• Ability to lift and carry non-ambulatory students

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required:

• Genuine interest to work with children
• Ability to follow direction and adapt to new and/or unique situations
• Ability to establish rapport and appropriate relationships with students and their families
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrate a progression in knowledge and skills through job performance
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Willingness to learn and develop professionally

Personal Characteristics:

• Accountable
• Trustworthy
• Critical thinker
• Collaborative
• Belief that all children can learn
• Celebrates progress
• Strong awareness of self

• High school education or equivalent
• Current Level 1 IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card preferred
• Current certification in CPR, AED and First Aid preferred
• Basic computer and keyboard skills
• Spanish language proficiency preferred, but not required