1 to Paraprofessional

About the Role

This position is a 1-to-1 highly qualified educational assistant role, responsible to appropriate teachers and/or administrators, evaluated by an administrator, and employed for 180 days as a classified staff member.

Qualifications

• Current Illinois Paraprofessional License or higher Illinois educator license.
• To qualify for the Illinois paraprofessional license, must meet one of the following:
  • At least 60 semester college credits, or
  • An Associate of Arts (AA) degree or higher, or
  • A passing score on the state paraprofessional exam.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in planning and implementing learning experiences for students.
• Confer with teachers to provide feedback on student performance, progress, and testing activities.
• Devise special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on individual student needs, interests, and abilities.
• Monitor classroom management in accordance with district discipline procedures, which may include physical restraint, movement, lifting, and carrying of students.
• Supervise students in and outside the classroom to ensure a safe environment.
• Perform clerical functions such as student record keeping, monitoring assignments, IEP development, and maintaining accurate files.
• Supervise students during emergency drills, assemblies, and play periods.
• Assist with large group activities such as drill work, reading aloud, and storytelling.
• Engage in oral communication with students, including reading to them and listening to them read.
• Check notebooks, correct papers, and supervise testing and make-up work as assigned.
• Alert teachers or administrators to any problems or special information about individual students.
• Serve as a source of information and support to substitute teachers.
• Assist with record keeping to monitor students' daily and monthly data on instructional and behavioral progress.
• Assist in diagnostic testing and reporting.
• Provide remedial instruction as requested.
• Perform clerical duties such as data entry, copying, filing, and record keeping.
• Supervise students in buildings, hallways, assemblies, lunch, playground areas, or with school buses as required.
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality regarding students and staff.
• Occasionally work with students who may exhibit aggressive behavior or require attention to basic feeding and personal hygiene needs.
• Support students with medical or health needs as required.
• In ESL/Bilingual positions, demonstrate bilingual ability in Spanish, English, or other languages (speaking, reading, and writing) if specified.
• Perform physical activities including:
  • Moving and/or lifting students with physical disabilities.
  • Moving, lifting, and/or physically restraining students with emotional and/or behavioral disabilities.
  • Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting.
• Monitor and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures.
• Relate sensitively to a diverse student population.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
  • English usage, mathematics, and basic understanding of subjects in which assistance is provided.
  • Basic child guidance principles and practices.
  • Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
  • Reading and writing communication skills.
  • Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
  • Record-keeping techniques.
  • Basic provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
  • Basic elements of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• Ability to:
  • Work harmoniously with others and communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with students and staff.
  • Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
  • Maintain confidentiality of students and their records.
  • Supervise individual or groups of students in an instructional setting without constant teacher oversight.
  • Work in a team environment.
  • Deliver instructional programs to students with learning, physical disabilities, and/or social behavior problems.
  • Work effectively in an environment that can be physically and emotionally fatiguing.
  • Perform physically demanding requirements of the job.
  • Demonstrate standards of moral character and behavior to serve as an effective role model for students.
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude in working with children with special needs.
  • Possess and maintain a valid First Aid card.

Working Conditions

• Environment: School sites, including indoor and outdoor settings.
• Physical abilities required:
  • Standing for extended periods of time.
  • Bending at the waist to assist students.
  • Reaching overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally.
  • Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
  • Seeing to monitor student activities and behavior.
  • Dexterity of hands and fingers to demonstrate activities and prepare materials.