Special Education Paraprofessional (Aides & Teacher Assistants)

POSITION TITLE:            Paraprofessional (Aides and Teacher Assistants)

STATUS:                           175-Days; 7 hours per day

FLSA STATUS:                  Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO:                   Building Principal / Directors of Special Services

POSITION SUMMARY: Assist teachers in special education classroom with achieving instructional or non-instructional objectives by working with individual students or small groups. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Aides & Teacher Assistants

1. Assists in implementing the classroom behavior management system as designed by the special education teacher.
2. Alerts the teacher of any behavior and interpersonal concerns or special information about or among students.
3. Assists the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
4. Assists special population students with achieving established goals with personal care and mobility.
5. Guides independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work set up and assigned by the teacher or principal. Checks notebooks, corrects papers, and supervises testing and makeup work, as assigned by the teacher.
6. Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
7. Assists the classroom teacher in arranging the learning environment, including assembling and putting materials on bulletin boards and/or other classroom learning displays and in keeping such displays current.
8. Under supervision of certificated teacher, prepare for classroom activities by distributing and collecting papers and other instructional materials for classroom instruction.
9. Assists students in completing classroom assignments, homework, and projects. Ensures student understanding of classroom rules and procedures and assist students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, friendly attitude, and general guidance.
10. Reads to students, listens to students read and observes students reading abilities as assigned. Assists students with letter and word pronunciation and recognition.  Assists students with math, spelling and writing exercises and assignments.
11. Tutors individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher. Monitors and oversees student drills, practice, and assignments in various subjects. 
12. Performs a variety of clerical duties in support of instructional classroom activities and materials, such as preparing, typing, copying, filing, and distributing/collecting papers. Grades student tests and assignments, records grades and attendance, lunch reports, and maintains student records and files as assigned.
13. Operates and cares for instructional equipment and materials as assigned by the teacher. This includes preparing the room for the activity, obtaining the required materials and equipment, operation of the equipment, and the return of all materials and equipment to storage.
14. Assists the teacher with supervising and assisting students during non-instructional times, including but not limited to emergency drills, assemblies, meal/snacks, field trips, arrival/departure of students, restrooms, hallways, recess, playground, clean up, and physical care needs.
15. Assures the health and safety of students by following established practices and procedures and maintaining the learning environment in a safe, orderly, and clean manner.
16. Observes and controls behavior of students in the classroom according to approved procedures, monitors students during outdoor activities as directed, becomes familiar with student IEP goals, and reports progress regarding student performance and behavior to supervising teacher.
17. Rides the bus before/after school, or otherwise, as needed, both to supervise and to assist with students’ physical need.
18. Participates in professional development programs, as assigned.
19. Follows all district policies and procedures.
20. Performs other duties as assigned.

Teacher Assistants

In addition to the essential functions outlined above, Teacher Assistants will be responsible for performing the essential functions below.

1. Works with individual students or small groups of student to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
2. Assists the teacher with the implementation of lesson plans, administers various tests as directed, and prepares mandated reports and documentation as required.
3. Confers with the teacher concerning lesson plans and materials to meet student needs and assists with the implementation of lesson plans.
4. Substitutes for the teacher as needed.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

1. Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in written form, with a variety of clienteles.
2. Ability to exercise sound judgement and confidentially on sensitive issues.
3. Ability to work effectively with all stakeholders.
4. Calm demeanor for handling stressful situations.
5. Ability to accomplish tasks that are often interrupted by persons with special and/or immediate needs.
6. Ability to report to work consistently and promptly as scheduled.
7. Demonstrate organizational ability and attention to detail.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 

Aides & Teacher Assistants

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Knowledge of standard office equipment (computers, copiers, fax machines, telephones, and related items).
3. Knowledge of basic record-keeping techniques.

Teacher Assistants

In addition to the basic requirements outlined above, Teacher Assistants will be responsible for possessing the qualifications below.

1. Completed 60-college credit hours or passing score on ParaPro exam, required for Teacher Assistant Paraprofessional.
2. If qualified, the employee will be required to get and maintain a Missouri Substitute or Missouri Teacher Certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, and utilize manual dexterity.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Occasionally may be required to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.   Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception.  Ability to board and exit a school bus, and to assist with the physical needs of students as needed.