Special Education Paraeducator - Resource Room

Job Description: Resource Room Paraeducator

Reports To: Director of Student Services and School Principal

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree, two years of college (60 credits) or Pass on Parapro Exam prior to employment
• Experience working with children is preferred
• Demonstrate aptitude or competence for assigned responsibilities
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to effectively communicate with parents, co-workers and students
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique needs and characteristics of all students particularly those who are differently abled (i.e. Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impaired, Emotional Disability)
• Knowledge of principles of classroom and behavior management
• Knowledge of principles of child development stages and developmental delays
• Ability to exercise flexibility, common sense and good judgment
• Skill in following oral and written directions
• Ability to identify, prevent and deescalate negative behaviors
• Skill in assisting students in progressing on Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals
• Must be punctual and reliable

General Description: To assist the classroom teacher in the education of students including management of student behavior; recordkeeping; instructional assistance; classroom safety; organization; and interaction and communication with students. Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include, but are not limited to, the following tasks, duties, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents in this job classification.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement, under the supervision of the assigned teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving students’ academic success through a defined course of study.
• Assist students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts
• Prepare material to support students’ learning styles with guidance from the teacher for the purpose of differentiated instruction
• Guide students in independent study (e.g. enrichment work, remedial work, etc…) for the purpose of ensuring student success
• Read to students for the purpose of explaining words/meanings, re-phrasing materials and providing learning examples
• Maintain classroom equipment, work area, adapting instructional materials, checking homework, grading papers for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information
• Monitor individual students, classroom, library, playground activities, etc… for the purpose of ensuring a safe and positive learning environment
• Demonstrate good habits for the purpose of improving the quality of students’ outcome and encouraging student development
• Perform recordkeeping for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or in providing necessary records/materials
• Prepare documents in standardized formats for the purpose of providing written documentation and/or conveying information
• Translate verbal and written communication(s) as assigned for the purpose of assisting students, teachers and parents in communications
• Distribute instructional materials (e.g. textbooks, learning package materials, supplies, equipment, etc…) for the purpose of providing students with necessary items and assisting the teacher in the classroom
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions:

The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment that may be required of positions in this class. Norwich Public School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Personnel Department for further information.

• Performing the job duties of this position requires the following physical demands: reaching, some lifting, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling.
• Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom equipment
• Must be able to assist in the lifting/carrying of students in excess of 50 pounds
• Occasional exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather

Terms of Employment: Salary and work year to be determined by the contract between the Norwich Board of Education and the Municipal Employees Union "Independent".

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of support services.