Paraprofessional

REPORTS TO:                               Teacher/Principal

CLASSIFICATION:                         Classified

FLSA STATUS:                              Non-Exempt

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:              Salary and work year as reviewed and established annually by the Board of Education

EVALUATION:                              Performance of this position will be evaluated regularly in accordance with the Board’s policy on the evaluation of classified staff.

JOB SUMMARY

An Individual who holds this position must:

1. Assist students with disabilities according to their individualized needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning
2. Assist students with physical care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene
3. Assist in managing the behavior of students
4. Keep the teacher informed of any special needs or problems of individual students
5. Maintain confidentiality of information about children and their families in accordance with Board policy and law
6. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings and special events as requested by administration
7. Help supervise arrival and departure of students to which he or she is assigned.
8. Follow instructions from teachers and administrators.

Instructional Process

1. Assist 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.
2. Under supervision of certified teacher, prepares for classroom activities by distributing and collecting papers and other instructional materials for classroom instruction.
3. Assists students in completing classroom assignments, homework, and projects; assures student understanding of classroom rules and procedures; assists students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, friendly attitude, and general guidance.
4. Reads to students, listens to students read, and observes student reading abilities as assigned; assists students with letter and word pronunciation and recognition; assists students with math, spelling, and writing exercises and assignments.
5. Assists assigned teacher with the implementation of lesson plans; administers various tests as directed; prepares mandated reports and documentation as required.

Additional Duties Exclusive to Paraprofessional:

1. Tutors individual or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher; monitors and oversees student drills, practice, and assignments in various subjects; confers with the teacher concerning lesson plans and materials to meet student needs; assists with the implementation of lesson plans.

Classroom Management

1. Performs a variety of clerical duties in support of classroom activities such as preparing, typing, duplicating, and filing instructional materials; grades student tests and assignments; recording of grades and attendance; lunch reports; and maintaining student records and files as assigned.
2. Operates and cares for instructional equipment and materials, as assigned by the teacher. This includes preparing the room for the activity, obtaining the required material and equipment, operation of the equipment, and the return of all materials and equipment to storage.
3. Assists the certified teacher with the supervision of students during non-instructional times, such as emergency drills, assemblies, cafeteria, restrooms, field trips, hallways, playground, and during bus loading/unloading activities.
4. Assists students with clothing, wash-up, and toilet routines, including diapering if necessary.
5. Assists with lunch, snacks, and other clean-up duties as assigned.
6. Assures the health and safety of students by following established practices and procedures; maintains the learning environment in a safe, orderly, and clean manner.

Additional Duties Exclusive to Paraprofessional:

1. Observes and controls behavior of students in the classroom according to approved procedures; monitors students during outdoor activities as directed; become familiar with student IEP goals and reports progress regarding student performance and behavior to supervising teacher.
2. If necessary, ride the bus to assists students needs.

The job description will serve as a guideline for the summative evaluation report.

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

ATTENDANCE

Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

NOTE:  Reasonable accommodations will be made, if necessary, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR CERTIFICATION

1. An equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
2. Substitute certification, or willingness to obtain one with the district's assistance.
3. Additional qualifications or alternatives as deemed appropriate or acceptable by the Board.