Instructional Assistant (Paraprofessional) Special Education

Gravette Public Schools

Position Description

Position Title: Instructional Assistant (Paraprofessional) Special Education

Department: Assigned building

Reports To: Assigned Teacher, Principal, Special Ed. Director

Evaluated By: Building Principal/Special Ed. Director

JOB SUMMARY:  Works under the supervision of the teacher and assists in the daily instructional program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Other duties may be assigned.

• Assists teacher in routine classroom operation.
• Implements/follows teacher’s instructions for classroom procedures.
• Prepares planned instructional materials, attendance reports and class reports as assigned.
• Assists with the development and maintenance of class and student records.
• Assists in the supervision of students while they are loading and unloading buses, going to special classes, in the cafeteria,
• on the playground, feeding students, etc., and in the classroom in the absence of the teacher.
• Assists with behavior management programs and techniques.
• Understands and assists in meeting the special needs of students.
• Must attend training throughout the school year.
• Maintains confidentiality and observes professional ethics.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Associates degree or 60 college credit hours or obtained an associate’s degree or the Praxis Parapro exam may be substituted for college hours, but must have a high school diploma or equivalent. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence, memos, or reports.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students or other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to work with young children.  Ability to interact with public and other staff is required.  Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community.  Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.  Ability to perform duties with awareness of special education guidelines and all district requirements and Board of Education Policies.

PHYSICAL DEMAND:

While performing the duties of this job, instructional assistant will be regularly required to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, reach, twist, and lift up to 50 pounds and push or pull up to 100 pounds.