26-27 McKinley PreK Paraprofessional

Responsibilities

• Assist with instruction and activities for individuals or groups as assigned by the teacher.
• Supervise students in instructional settings, off-campus activities, and during non-instructional activities such as recess, assemblies, emergency drills, and lunch periods.
• Occasionally supervise students in the teacher's absence.
• Prepare, create, or adapt instructional materials as directed by the teacher.
• Prepare bulletin boards and other teaching aids.
• Assist students with assignments and provide setup and operation of instructional equipment.
• Serve as the primary source of information and assistance for substitute teachers.
• Assist teachers with student behavior management strategies and respond appropriately to students when necessary.
• Alert the teacher to special needs of students.
• Grade student work, record grades, take attendance, and complete necessary paperwork and student records.
• Assist students with personal care needs and minor first aid as required.
• Perform housekeeping duties within the classroom to ensure cleanliness, including washing dishes, disinfecting toys and tables, defrosting freezers, etc.
• Prepare snacks for students and assist them in feeding, demonstrating proper eating skills.
• May ride the afternoon bus route, supervising student behavior on the bus.
• Operate photocopiers, laminators, duplicators, and computers as needed.
• Assist teachers in obtaining supplies for scheduled activities (e.g., paints, brushes, construction paper, science supplies, etc.).
• Assist teachers with compiling students' work to send home weekly in Thursday folders.
• Send letters home to parents as required.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• If recommended for hire, must apply for Tier 1 certification prior to start of employment; certification fee is $12.00 paid directly to the Oklahoma State Department of Education; Norman Public Schools personnel will provide detailed instructions during employee processing.
• Credentials – Tier 1 (Title 1) Paraprofessional (at least one of the following):
  • Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education (at least 48 hours of college coursework).
  • Obtained an associate's degree (or higher).
  • Taken and passed the WorkKeys test, ParaPro test, or the Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET).
• An OSBI background check must be completed every five years to remain in compliance; the cost of the background check is the responsibility of the employee. Failure to complete the required background check may impact employment status.
• Education: High School Diploma or GED; must hold an associate degree or have completed 2 years of post‑secondary education, or be a high school graduate and pass a PARAPRO or OGET test.
• Training or experience: Previous work or volunteer experience with children, teenagers, and/or clerical experience preferred.
• Reports to: Building Principal.
• FLSA Classification: Non‑exempt.
• Salary Schedule: Teacher's Assistant.

Skills

• Good customer service and people skills to handle problems and provide information or technical assistance as requested.
• Ability to comply with safety guidelines and policies to reduce accidents or injuries to staff or students.
• Adhere to school dress standards, attendance, leave policies, and work habits.
• Creativity, initiative, and effective problem‑solving are crucial for success in this role.
• Ability to exercise discretion, ingenuity, and independent judgment when performing tasks, due to the complexity of the job.
• Ability to manage the computerization of school district operations, providing training and support to staff in the use of administrative systems.
• Ability to select the most appropriate solution when multiple options exist.

Schedule

Contract: 175 days.