Paraeducator - SPED / Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten (DRK)

About the role

This position is for 6.5 hours per day at 178 days per year. For the first year, it is 7 hours per day for 4 days, and 2 days each year following until certification is completed.

The official hire date is based on School Board approval and may change without notice. The person hired for this position must complete Right Response Training within 3-5 months of hire and successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program per State requirements.

Responsibilities

The Paraeducator - Special Education/ Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten assists certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for students with disabilities in an integrated Kindergarten classroom.

• Instructs students with a range of disabilities individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities to promote student understanding of materials presented.
• Provides encouragement, reinforcement and achievement of educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff.
• Assists in the administration of objective tests or other measurements.
• Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students; consults with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities.
• Assists certificated staff in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress.
• Attends to student physical and safety needs; monitors students for medical risks such as seizures and behaviors that may result in harm to themselves or others.
• Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.
• Assists students with toileting, which may include catheterization and diapering; attends to the personal hygiene needs of students.
• Assists students in washing hands and face, brushing teeth and hair, and taking showers.
• Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery; helps feed students and teaches social aspects of eating with others.
• Assists students with basic living skills and pre-vocational activities.
• Works with students to develop communication skills; facilitates integration of students with age-group peers to the extent possible.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff and parents for student progress and safety, and community relations.
• Provides physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning.
• Uses adaptive equipment to communicate with students; follows and documents procedures established by physical therapist.
• Monitors need for first aid for students and refers for treatment as appropriate.
• Maintains cleanliness and hygiene of classroom, implements and equipment.

Requirements

To be considered for an interview, the applicant must meet the following federal minimum employment requirements:

• Be 18 years of age
• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Meet one of the following requirements:
  • Successfully passed the ETS Para Pro test or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment
  • Hold an AA degree or higher
  • Have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education
  • Have completed a registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries
  • Have successfully completed The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience working with school age children and special needs students, and will demonstrate skill in reading, writing and communicating, as well as knowledge of basic subject areas and behavior and learning disorders.

• Demonstrated skill in reading, writing and communicating
• Knowledge of basic subject areas, such as reading and math
• Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner
• Ability to remain flexible in changes in assignments
• Ability to organize activities
• Ability to follow and give instructions
• Ability to be fair and consistent when working with students
• Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management techniques
• Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques
• Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures
• Ability to learn the use of computers and various software packages for student instruction and record keeping
• Ability to learn the operation of general office machines
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff
• Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts
• Willing to be trained in a variety of medical procedures if necessary

Pay

The salary for this position is $25.40 per hour, according to the PSE Salary Schedule Level 5.