Silverland Middle Paraprofessional 09.15.26

About the role

Under the supervision of a licensed teacher, works in a special education assisting teaching staff in a variety of instructional activities to provide specially designed instruction to students with disabilities. Assists teachers in providing individual and group functional living, academic skills, vocational and behavioral management support, as well as personal care attendant services to students with various mental, and/or physical disabilities to successfully implement requirements of students individualized education plan (IEP). Additional intensive training beyond what is necessary for a Special Education-Paraprofessional in the areas of student data collection, communication strategies, severe behaviors, and positive behavior management for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Disabilities or Behavioral Disorders will be required. This person reports directly to the school site administrator.

Responsibilities

• Assists the student(s) in the program to whom they are assigned in such physical tasks as putting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, using the restroom, provide toileting and/or personal hygiene care (i.e. changing diapers), carrying lunch trays, eating, transportation, etc.
• Assists the student(s) in curriculum tasks as assigned by a certified teacher, carrying out instructional programs and lessons in various learning environments, in and out of the traditional classroom, as designated in the instructional plan based on the IEP and under the direct supervision of the certified teacher.
• Under the direct supervision of a certified teacher, works with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
• Accompanies the student(s) to other locations within the school, if the child's disability warrants this type of support.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the student's eligibility and IEP teams when conferring about the student whom the paraprofessional is assigned.
• Assisting individual students in performing activities initiated by the special education or classroom teacher.
• Assisting the special education teacher in data collection procedures, observing, recording and charting behavior.
• Monitoring and reporting student(s) progress to the certified personnel.
• Assist the student in interacting with the available classroom technology & augmentative devices (SmartBoard, iPad, etc.).
• Conforms to safety standards as prescribed.
• Ability to work with students and adults in a variety of settings on and off school campus areas.
• Ability to commute outside of attendance area as required by certified personnel in order to transport students to programs not available within the student's school of attendance.
• Ability to take direction from and provide assistance to the Special Education teacher in charge of the special education program.
• Performs and participates in other related duties as assigned by the building administrator or designee.

Requirements

• Education and Training: High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid driver's license and DMV clearance.
• Licenses and Certifications: Must have the ability to complete: Specialized training as needed to meet student needs as outlined in IEP's; Current Crisis Prevention and Restraint Training, First Aid, and CPR Training; Blood borne Pathogen and Universal Precaution Training.
• Physical and mental requirements: Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use keyboard and video display terminal for prolonged periods; Strength and stamina to bend, stoop, sit, and stand for long periods; Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; occasional lifting of files, stacks of paper or reports, references, student work, and other materials; Some reaching for items above and below waist and head level; Some reaching, bending, squatting, and stooping to assist students access files, student work, and other items; Manual dexterity and cognitive ability to operate a personal computer and other educational technology (LCD projector, SmartBoard, iPads/Tablets, augmentative communication devices, etc.) to enhance student learning; Involves hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; Ability to lift 50 pounds or 1/3 body weight, whichever is greater, to waist height, perform a 2 to 3 person lift, and the ability to restrain student(s) as needed and in accordance with state regulations.

Skills

• Knowledge of CPR/AED and Universal Precautions.
• Ability to work effectively with special needs students.