Special Education Paraprofessional (Grades K-12)

About the role

Assist the teacher by monitoring and assisting special education students in the special education classroom and during other activities to ensure a provision of quality instruction. Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to information concerning students. The special education paraprofessional will receive guidance from members of the IEP team including the special education teacher, related service provider(s), behavior analyst, and other team members.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional support to assigned student(s), including focusing attention, following along with instructional materials, recording information, taking notes, completing assignments, studying for and taking tests, organizing assignments, and working independently in instructional materials.
• Participate in the implementation of Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals for the purpose of the student(s) meeting their IEP goals; document progress toward IEP goals and objectives and attend IEP meetings when requested.
• Follow the teacher’s plans while working with the student(s) and encourage independence.
• Adjust, adapt, and modify assignments, tests, and other activities for special education students under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
• Observe and intervene to redirect disruptive or inappropriate behavior and keep the student(s) on task.
• Support social skills acquisition, which may include reteaching such skills with an individual or small group under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
• Accompany student(s) to special classrooms (e.g., music, art, gymnasium) and provide assistance to special area teachers.
• Provide coverage at recess, lunch, field trips, assemblies, and other activities to ensure safety and appropriate behavior.
• Provide information to the Special Education department and regular education teacher regarding a student’s behavior and/or progress on IEP goals.
• Perform clerical duties as needed, maintain records of student progress, develop and file incident reports, provide support including creating bulletin boards, instructional materials, and photocopying.
• Serve as a personal care aide to a student or small number of students for a limited time when requested.
• Attend district in-service activities and participate in off-site training sessions when requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal, teacher, and/or special education administrators.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree or higher, or hold at least forty-eight (48) college credits, or high school diploma or equivalent and pass a local assessment test.
• First Aid and CPR Training, within sixty (60) days of date of hire.
• Yearly paraprofessional training required with a minimum of twenty (20) hours of training yearly.
• Must complete a PDE state-approved crisis intervention restraint training after being hired.
• Must maintain restraint training certification through annual PDE state-approved recertification training.
• Previous experience with students preferred.
• Submission of pre-employment medical examination (Section 148 of the Pennsylvania School Code).
• Submission of a report of criminal history record from the Pennsylvania State Police (Section 111 of the Pennsylvania School Code).
• Submission of a clearance report from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in accordance with Act 151 of 1994.
• Submission of the FBI Criminal History Record in accordance with Act 114 of 2006.
• Submission of sexual misconduct/abuse disclosure release form in accordance with Act 168 of 2014.

Physical Demands

• Ability to reach above and below the waist.
• Ability to use fingers to pick, feel, and grasp objects.
• Ability to use both hands for repetitive motion.
• Considerable bending and twisting of the body required.
• Some stooping and squatting required.
• Ability to lift and/or carry supplies and/or papers weighing no more than 20 lbs.
• Ability to stand for long periods of the workday.

Sensory Abilities

• Visual acuity.
• Auditory acuity.

Work Environment

• Typical classroom environment.
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.

Temperament

• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work with students.
• Must be cooperative, congenial, and service-oriented.
• Must be able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to understand and maintain confidentiality.

Cognitive Ability

• Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Ability to read and write.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to organize tasks.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Ability to assist in mathematics, reading, and other content areas.

Specific Skills

• Ability to operate office equipment.