Paraeducator - Severely Handicapped - Larson Elementary School

BASIC FUNCTION

Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individual or small groups of severely handicapped students in a classroom; monitor and report student progress regarding behavior and performance; assist students in developing various self-help, social and community skills.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Work with groups and individual students in a variety of areas such as sensory stimulation, language development, number concepts, visual perception, basic reading and math, art projects and music;
• Assist students in a variety of gross motor activities such as climbing, balancing, walking, rolling, crawling and other activities.
• Confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs;
• Utilize appropriate methods of instruction to achieve goals and objectives set forth in the Individualized Education Program.
• Instruct students in self-help skills such as brushing teeth, washing hands, dressing, holding glasses, use of eating utensils and various social skills.
• Assist students on and off the bus; push wheelchairs and lift students as needed.
• Observe and control behavior and interaction of students according to approved procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior.
• Operate various exercise, therapeutic, instructional and office equipment.
• Prepare instructional materials for individual students as directed by the teacher; maintain daily records of achievement.
• Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio visual equipment, operating educational training equipment and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.
• Assist students in toilet training, buttons, snaps and zippers; clean children lacking control, changing diapers and clothing as necessary.
• Prepare students for and assist students in main-streamed classes according to established procedures.
• Position and reposition students frequently, including placing them in therapeutic equipment.
• Move students to and from buses, teaching independent mobility and assisting with walkers, pushing wheelchairs, pulling wagons or carrying students unable to walk.
• Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; assist in maintaining a clean and orderly classroom environment.
• Oversee student activities; lead and monitor playground activities and movement education as assigned.
• Direct group activities of students as assigned.
• Participate in meetings and in service training programs as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of: Special needs, problems and requirements of severely handicapped students.
• Child guidance principles and practices.
• Basic subjects taught in District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading.
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Oral and written communications skills.
• Interpersonal relations skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Classroom procedures and conduct.
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.

• Ability to: Assist certificated staff with instruction and related activities of the assigned learning environment.
• Assist students in developing self-help and social skills.
• Print and write legibly.
• Make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Learn the procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties.
• Communicate effectively with physically and developmentally handicapped children.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Restrain and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures.
• Operate a computer, and various instructional and office equipment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Any combination equivalent to: high school diploma or equivalent and increasingly responsible experience in working with school-age children in an organized setting.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• The following MUST be attached to application on or before the deadline:
• The Proficiency Exam (Basic Skills Assessment Test) is administered by Lodi Unified School District. Interested candidates need to RSVP by calling (209) 331-7605.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS / CERTIFICATES

• The successful applicant will be required to pass a pre-employment physical examination. Cost of the exam will be borne by the District. If selected for the position, out-of-district applicants must be T.B. tested and fingerprinted. A practical skills test may be administered at the time of interview.