SPED Paraprofessional

Special Education Paraprofessional

The role of the Special Education Paraprofessional is to provide additional support in the classrooms and during school activities where students with diagnosed moderate to severe educational disabilities are served. The paraprofessionals' goal is to assist in providing a well-organized, smooth functioning, positive classroom environment in which all students can take full advantage of the instructional program and available resource materials. The paraprofessional will possess good people skills, flexibility, and have the ability to adjust to change.

The duties of the SPED Paraprofessional will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Collaborate with and assist the teacher in instruction and supervision across all settings, including implementation of special strategies for reinforcing skills based on the special needs and abilities of each student with respect to individual differences and maintenance of supporting and inclusive environments.
• Assist with the preparation of instructional resources and strategies designed to support the individual needs of each student.
• Carry out work responsibilities effectively under pressure of deadlines, difficult situations, interruptions and emergence situations.
• Perform routine instructional and non-instructional support tasks, including classroom transition times, meal times, use of adaptive/assistive equipment and toileting/self-care.
• Assist in the supervision of students as required to meet individual needs and implement IEP goals and/or objectives as directed.
• Provide physical assistance based on student need such as: lifting, transferring, moving from class to class, feeding, toileting, physical intervention.
• Continuously monitor students to ensure safety at all times, and report child abuse and neglect.
• Models positive behavior for students (i.e. inter-personal communication, processes, social interactions, etc.) for the purpose of providing educational and life skills training.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress and appropriate professional manner for the work setting.
• Demonstrate effective human relations and communication skills.
• Adhere to good safety practices.
• Ability to understand and adhere to all District rules, regulations and policies.
• All other duties as required or assigned.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• stand, walk, sit and talk/hear;
• occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl;
• occasionally push, pull or lift at least 50 lbs; and
• be able to see, including close, distance and depth perception.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.