Paraprofessional/Bus Aide

About the Role

Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, the Instructional Paraprofessional/Bus Aide assists certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and frees certified employees from non-professional duties to contribute to other aspects of the educational program.

Responsibilities

• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests, and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips to assist with supervision.
• Constructs, copies, distributes, and uses educational materials as needed.
• Assists teachers with parent contact to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, and achievement of IEP objectives.
• Participates in the IEP process and serves as a resource for the student personnel evaluation team.
• Assists students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living to maximize their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures, and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Assists guidance, pupil services staff, or building administration as needed.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned.

Equipment and Travel

• Uses standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.
• Travel between schools or between schools and central offices may be required.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply, and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees, and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and others.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to a supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Works in standard office and school building environments.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of college-level coursework (60 Credits) or passing of examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Prior experience working with special needs children is desirable.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt