General Education Paraprofessional

About the Role

Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of the principal and immediate direction of a certified teacher. If working in special education, help the special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a special education setting.

Responsibilities

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning, as necessary.
• Help manage behavior of students, including intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.
• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom, including lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Responsible for properly maintaining district records, adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance, and learning the records retention schedule for department records.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Valid Texas Educational Aide Certificate.
• Completion of at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (48 semester hours of college coursework); or an associate’s degree; or demonstrated knowledge and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and math (or readiness) through a formal state or local academic assessment.

Skills

• Ability to work with children with disabilities.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Effective communication skills.
• Knowledge of general office equipment.

Experience

Some experience working with children.

Equipment Used

• Wheelchair lift
• Ramp
• Personal computer
• Copier
• Audiovisual equipment as necessary