Paraprofessional - Special Education

About the role

The paraprofessional works under the supervision of a certified staff member to assist students in the special education classroom. They also play a role in non-instructional tasks and provide additional adult/student relationships.

Responsibilities

• Assists and guides students in education and social development.
• Administers classroom assignments and assessments.
• Prepares and differentiates instructional materials according to individual student needs.
• Completes Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training and maintains certification.
• Documents student learning, progress, and performance using data tracking systems.
• Serves in non-instructional roles such as supervising lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, and assisting with medical and grooming needs.
• Assists in student medical, grooming, and self-care needs.
• Aids students during field trips and accompanies them on trips.
• Communicates with parents to support student education.
• Supports students with disabilities in all aspects of classroom instruction.
• Participates in the IEP process and serves as a resource for the student evaluation team.
• Assists students with physical or mental disabilities in activities of daily living.
• Follows safety rules and procedures.

Qualifications

• Two years of study at an institution of higher learning (60 credits) or obtain an associate's degree (or higher).
• Prior experience working with students with disabilities.
• Knowledge and training in proper classroom management techniques, including verbal de-escalation skills and physical interventions, such as Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI).
• Willingness to participate in professional development.

Skills

• Ability to carry out instructions.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and perform arithmetic operations.
• Ability to use personal computers and software applications.
• Ability to work with and 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.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Benefits

No specific benefits are mentioned in the job posting.

Pay

No specific pay details are provided in the job posting.

Additional Duties

• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Equipment

Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

Travel Requirements

Travel between schools and between schools and central offices may be required for certain positions.

Physical And Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Physical Demands: Stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment), taste and smell. Lift up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Mental Functions: Compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

ADA Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment), taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• The employee must establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• The employee must establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and others contacted in the course of work.
• The employee must report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.

Application Instructions

Submit an application, individual cover letter, and resume through the online applicant center. All application materials must be uploaded and submitted no later than 5:00 PM on the specified posting deadline. Visit the district website: kentwoodps/employment.org. Kentwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in its employment decisions or the provision of services.