Substitute Classroom Paraeducator

TITLE: Long Term Substitute Classroom Paraeducator

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Support Services

Building Principal

Teacher

JOB GOALS:

• To assist children in self-sufficiency, communications, interpersonal, mobility and behavioral skills.
• To encourage, support and educate students by assisting them in the performance of daily living activities necessary for their comfort, well-being and integrity.
• To promote independence to the maximum extent possible to be successful based on the individual needs of each student and their disabilities.
• To assist the regular and special education teachers in all facets of the South Fayette educational program such as to maximize students’ participation and success in the least restrictive environment.
• To assist students with their learning, behavioral, emotional and/or social difficulties so that they may participate successfully in the least restrictive environment.
• To maintain the safety of students at all times. This is a critical function of the paraeducator’s responsibility as students may lack awareness of the most basic safety regulations, including: avoiding dangerous situations, recognizing hazards previously warned about, responding appropriately to danger signals, wandering into unknown areas, and/or touching/handling/smelling/tasting unknown objects.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two or Four Year Degree (preference to the field of education)
• Current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Experience working with children with disabilities
• Ability to work cooperatively with many individuals
• Ability to communicate with adults and children effectively
• Dependable and mature in demeanor
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to take notes
• Ability to learn about specific characteristics, interventions, and strategies related to varying disabilities/atypical syndromes
• Strong commitment to the goals, mission, and philosophy of the school district
• Expresses a strong desire and enthusiasm to make a difference in a students’ lives
• Experience in behavior strategies in working with children/youth

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (Child Specific):

• Support students in the areas of academics, social, emotional and functional skills.
• Facilitate and model appropriate social interaction throughout entire school day.
• Supervise students and manage student behaviors using basic management techniques throughout entire school day. These techniques include redirection, modeling, positive and negative reinforcement, shaping and direct hand-over-hand assistance.
• Deliver independent learning activities in various academic areas, as well as “specials” areas, as assigned.
• Accompany students to various settings throughout the school and district community, including field trips and special functions.
• Provide students with re-direction, organization, coping strategies and other specially designed instruction as specified in their IEPs.
• Support the medical needs of assigned student(s) as necessary in order to increase their independence and to increase the student’s ability to access their education.
• Follow medical crisis plans as necessary for students with medical needs.
• Assist student(s) with functional activities such as:
• Buying a lunch
• Delivering notes from home
• Packing and unpacking items from back pack
• Manipulating fasteners
• Removing and putting on outer wear
• Hanging up items in the closet
• Organizing items in desk
• Getting out needed supplies such as pencils, crayons, glue as appropriate
• Unpacking lunch box
• Opening food containers
• Cleaning up and gathering items after lunch
• Prompting student to wash hands, wipe nose, wipe face, etc.
• Assist in maintaining communication between home and school when appropriate with the classroom teacher and/or administration.
• Monitor students’ progress on IEP goals as outlined by special education staff.
• Assist teachers with reporting data regarding student progress on IEP goals/objectives and/or Individual Student Positive Behavior Support Plan.
• Communicate with special education teacher(s) regarding the progress of special education students across settings.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences and Individualized Education Plan meetings when requested.
• Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and maintain certification
• Possess the ability to work as a team player with teachers in classrooms and with administration in the buildings.
• Display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment, work closely with other departments/programs as necessary and display professional team spirit.
• Perform a wide variety of tasks and be able to change focus quickly as situations change and manage these transitions and tasks effectively.
• Write effectively to complete daily/weekly/monthly online Medical Assistance (MA) forms regarding children/youth that you are assigned responsibilities.
• Acquire if needed based on 2 year/4 year degree, the PDE Credential of Paraeducator Competency during the first two years of employment at South Fayette Township School District.
• Participate in professional development to acquire the needed 20 hours annually to retain the “high qualified paraeducator status.”
• May be asked to perform other job-related responsibilities as designated by the special education teacher, regular education teacher, building principals, and/or the Director of Pupil Personnel.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Rate – $12.50 per hour and the position is anticipated to go through May 2025.

Paraeducator job assignments/positions may change during the school year or year-to-year based on special education student needs, special education populations in each building, and/or training.