2026-2027 Paraprofessional

Reports to Principal and assigned teacher.

About the role

Performs a variety of non-teaching classroom support and student personal care services as directed under the supervision of an assigned teacher.

Responsibilities

• Checks with the supervisor to learn about the needs of assigned students.
• Follows behavior modification plans.
• Assists teachers with the implementation of IEP goals.
• Seeks advice when expectations are unclear.
• Checks with the teacher for instructions.
• Works with small groups and/or individual students.
• Acquires basic proficiency in skills that support student needs (e.g., sign language, finger spelling, etc.).
• Upholds board policies and follows administrative guidelines/procedures.
• Promotes a professional image of the school district.
• Supports community partnerships that enhance district programs.
• Promotes effective communications and assistance.
• Uses problem-solving techniques to tactfully address questions/concerns.
• Refers policy interpretation inquiries to administrative staff.
• Helps students with remedial and/or enrichment activities.
• Reinforces instructional objectives introduced by the teacher.
• Maintains a positive learning environment.
• Responds to student requests for assistance without being intrusive.
• Solves concerns discreetly.
• Supports an inclusive educational environment.
• Helps students with disabilities participate in appropriate learning activities as directed.
• Assists with bus loading and unloading procedures.
• Facilitates student mobility.
• Helps students use assistive and/or augmentative devices.
• Assists with standing frames, braces, changing clothing, changing diapers, tube feeding, etc.
• Helps incorporate assigned therapy activities into the daily schedule (e.g., stretching, speech assistance, exercises, etc.).
• Positions students to take full advantage of each learning environment (e.g., line-of-sight, proximity to equipment, height of work surfaces, etc.).
• Follows prescribed medical plans and/or assists students with personal hygiene care (e.g., toileting, catheterization, etc.) as trained by a licensed health care professional.
• Helps feed students.
• Complies with personal hygiene rules and standard sanitation procedures.
• Actively participates in programmed recreational activities as directed.
• Supervises rest periods when applicable.
• Renders basic first aid and administers student medications when a school nurse is not available.
• Monitors ill students until a parent/guardian arrives.
• Respects personal privacy and maintains the confidentiality of privileged information.
• Takes precautions to ensure safety, monitors situations that may indicate a problem, and provides appropriate student supervision.
• Works with supervisors to manage or eliminate risk factors.
• Upholds the student conduct code and maintains high expectations for behavior and performance.
• Works with the classroom teacher to address persistent behavior problems.
• Supervises non-classroom activities as directed (e.g., arrival/departure, lunch, recess, field trips, library, computer lab, etc.).
• Promotes the proper use, care, and security of school property.
• Reports discipline problems, vandalism, graffiti, equipment malfunctions, and other related concerns.
• Reports suspected child abuse and/or neglect to civil authorities as required by law.
• Performs clerical work related to classroom activities, prepares and distributes classroom materials, and maintains records as directed.
• Complies with district policy and administrative guidelines/procedures to account for fundraising activities and the collection of authorized student fees.
• Maintains detailed records suitable for financial audits.
• Prepares classroom equipment for use (e.g., computers, media resources, etc.).
• Helps keep program and storage areas orderly (e.g., stores equipment, shelves books, cleans spills, etc.).
• Sanitizes equipment as directed.
• Participates in staff meetings and professional growth opportunities as directed.
• Strives to develop rapport and serves as a positive role model for others.
• Maintains a professional appearance and wears work attire appropriate for the position.
• Performs other specific job-related duties as directed.
• Must be able to obtain a permit with Ohio Department of Education for specific position.

Skills

• Acknowledges personal accountability for decisions and conduct.
• Demonstrates professionalism and contributes to a positive work environment.
• Effectively uses listening, observation, reading, verbal, nonverbal, and writing skills.
• Exhibits consistency, resourcefulness, and resilience.
• Maintains an acceptable attendance record and is punctual.
• Performs duties efficiently with limited supervision and meets deadlines despite time constraints.
• Prepares accurate and timely paperwork, verifies and correctly enters data.
• Reacts productively to interruptions and changing conditions.
• Uses diplomacy and exercises self-control when dealing with other individuals.

Working Conditions

• Balancing, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and standing.
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes.
• Exposure to airborne particulates, chemical irritants, combustible materials, electrical hazards, equipment vibrations, noises, and odors.
• Exposure to wet and/or slippery surfaces.
• Exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases.
• Interactions with aggressive, disruptive, and/or unruly individuals.
• Operating and/or riding in a vehicle.
• Lifting, carrying, and moving work-related supplies/equipment.
• Traveling to meetings and work assignments.
• Working in proximity to moving mechanical parts.