Paraprofessional

About the Role

At City Garden, we pride ourselves on giving students a vibrant learning experience in a welcoming environment. Our teachers count on paraprofessionals to bring the best to the classroom every day. You will build on a student-centered environment which fosters relationships and promotes continual growth for students and staff.

Qualifications

• Degree in education, early childhood development, or one of the social sciences
• At least one year of experience working with special needs students
• Flexibility to adapt to the changing nature of the demands of the class
• Deep commitment to whole-child education, with proven success in meeting children’s needs holistically
• Grounding in anti-bias education and antiracist values and principles
• Current First Aid and CPR certification
• Current Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Paraprofessional certification

Requirements

• At least 12 hours of post-secondary education and Paraprofessional certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• At least 2 years of experience working with students
• Prior experience in the role of Paraprofessional
• Effective communication skills (oral, written, and visual) with adults and children
• Understanding of basic principles of childhood development
• Demonstrated success working with a diverse student population

Responsibilities

Objectives of this Role

• Provide instructional reinforcement under the direction of the classroom teacher in executing lesson plans
• Serve as a positive, nurturing guide for students
• Model professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, staff, and community, following and upholding school rules and standards
• Safely supervise students in both instructional and assessment activities in and out of the classroom
• Participate in planning sessions with the learning team, communicating with parents and school officials as needed

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities

• Co-teach lesson components as determined by the teacher, leading small-group or individual instruction and discussion, and reviewing classwork material
• Attend to students' physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs; help with translation and hygienic needs when necessary
• Organize classroom and teaching materials; verify and track student attendance
• Perform clerical duties such as data-entry, filing, and photocopying; grade tests and homework, recording the results
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, parents, and staff to enhance the instructional environment; participate in parent-teacher and faculty meetings and events

Professional Responsibility

• Actively participate in a regular evaluation process including classroom observations, feedback conferences, and an annual self-evaluation toward yearly goals established with the school principal
• Participate in professional development activities (both within the school community and attendance at conferences, workshops, etc.)
• Engage in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment (e.g., age-level meetings, curriculum discussion groups, working committees, mentoring)
• Attend all scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate
• Read and adhere to the guidelines and school policies as established in the employee handbook

Environment & Working Conditions

Indoor school environment, with the majority of work performed at a desk or sitting, with travel to and from individual classroom locations.

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile, and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain student records files
• Operate standard office equipment (telephone, computer, printer/copier)
• Stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, and walk around
• Sit on the floor for periods of time
• Physically assist students as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, restraining, etc.), up to 50 lbs

Pay

$20.41/hour