Instructional Paraprofessional (Middle School)

Reports to: Building Principal and/or Director of Special Education and/or Director of Student Services/Supervisor of Secondary Special Education. FLSA Status: Non-exempt. Starting rate: $19.00/hour.

About the Role

Performs duties and responsibilities in the classroom to assist teaching staff in special needs areas.

Responsibilities

• Discusses assigned teaching area with classroom teacher to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Assists students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts.
• Assists teacher in devising strategies for reinforcing materials or skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
• Guides independent study, enrichment activities, and remedial tasks set up and assigned by the teacher.
• Reads to students, listens to students read, and participates in other forms of oral communication with students.
• Keeps bulletin boards and other learning displays up to date.
• Operates and cares for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes.
• Assists students in mastering use of instructional materials assigned by the teacher.
• Distributes and collects workbooks, papers, and other materials for instruction.
• Checks notebooks, corrects papers, and supervises testing and make-up work as assigned by the teacher.
• Assists with arrival and dismissal of students.
• Assists student in personal hygiene needs, which may include dressing and/or toileting as necessary.
• Assists with ambulatory needs as necessary.
• Assists with feeding of student as necessary.
• Observes and reports unusual or atypical student behavior to teacher.
• Respects the confidential nature of pupil records and school reports.
• Completes state reports (ACCESS) for reimbursement of state-funded monies.

Requirements

• Two years of post-secondary study; Associate’s Degree or higher; or successful completion of the PDE Credentials of Competency.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to the assignment (required by the Department of Education).
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Skills

• Customer Service: Responds promptly to student and teacher needs; meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; maintains confidentiality; listens without interrupting; keeps emotions under control.
• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; reads and interprets written information.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; contributes to a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Ethics: Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; works with integrity; upholds organizational values.
• Judgment: Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals based on student and teacher needs.
• Professionalism: Approaches others tactfully; reacts well under pressure; accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; applies feedback to improve performance.
• Quantity: Completes work in a timely manner; strives to increase productivity.
• Safety and Security: Observes safety procedures; reports unsafe conditions; uses equipment properly.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; adjusts methods to fit the situation.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Consistently at work and on time; ensures responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Dependability: Follows instructions; takes responsibility for own actions; completes tasks on time.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to use hands, talk, and hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to push students in wheelchairs or adaptive equipment.

Pay

$19.00/hour.