Paraprofessional - Cologne Academy (western Carver County)

Qualifications and Experience

Two-year degree or higher, or 60 credits toward a degree, or obtain a passing score on the MN approved Paraeducator test, which measures math and reading skills
Minimum 3 years experience as a paraprofessional in a K-12 school setting
Accepts direction from supervising teacher(s) and is willing to work as a team.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrate understanding of individual and unique characteristics of students with disabilities and assist them with their special needs.
• Understand and provide assistance with assessment, data collection, and implementation of individual plans.
• Aid special education teachers in providing instructional content to students receiving special education.
• Works under the direction of a licensed special education teacher to support students who have Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
• Understand the basic legal foundations of special education.
• Works with students on functional living skills.
• Assist with bus arrival and departure monitoring.
• Communicate observations of changes in student’s physical, behavioral or academic functioning.
• Participate in professional development training offered by district special education and building special education teams.
• Assist special education teachers in monitoring student progress.
• Assist special education teachers with implementation and monitoring behavior intervention plans/behavior contracts.
• Follow specific student behavior plans such as behavior intervention plans (BIPs), contracts, point systems as directed by licensed staff.
• Facilitate small groups, as directed by the special education teacher.
• Provide students with clear instructions.
• Maintain documentation of student progress toward goals, as directed by the special education teacher.
• Provide support for students’ completing general education class work under the direction of teacher.
• Aids students with beginning of day/end of day routines.
• Aids students with organizational skills.

Paraprofessional Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with a student who is struggling and information is being gathered to address needs.
• Perform transfers safely for students with physical disabilities.
• Work with students on functional living skills.
• Monitor and implement accommodations for students with IEPs during unstructured times throughout the day, including playground and lunchroom.
• Communicate observations of changes in student’s physical, behavioral or academic functioning.
• Participate in professional development training offered by district special education and building special education teams.
• Assist special education teachers in monitoring student progress.
• Assist special education teachers with implementation and monitoring behavior intervention plans/behavior contracts.
• Follow specific student behavior plans such as behavior intervention plans (BIPs), contracts, point systems as directed by licensed staff.
• Facilitate small groups, as directed by the special education teacher.
• Provide students with clear instructions.
• Maintain documentation of student progress toward goals, as directed by the special education teacher.
• Provide support for students’ completing general education class work under the direction of teacher.
• Aids students with beginning of day/end of day routines.
• Aids students with organizational skills.

Other Duties and Expectations

• Demonstrate understanding of the distinctions between roles and responsibilities of professionals, paraprofessionals, and support personnel.
• Follow district policies and procedures.
• Willingness to learn about children with special needs.
• Follow rules and expectations of confidentiality for all students.
• Function as a team player.
• Demonstrate regular attendance.
• Flexibility and ability to work with a variety of staff and students.
• Demonstrate positive, professional relationships with students, teachers, and peers.
• Take direction and feedback.
• Demonstrate on-the-job professionalism.
• Demonstrate an understanding that assignments to work with specific students or types of students are not guaranteed.