Special Education Program Paraprofessional

About the Role

To assist general education and special education teacher(s) and other certificated personnel by performing a variety of instructional support duties for individual or small groups of Special Education pupils in a classroom or resource environment encompassing a range of disabilities. Special education paraprofessionals will work closely with teachers, administrators, and other team members to provide students with educational benefits.

Responsibilities

• Works with individual students or small groups to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the general education and/or special education teacher(s).
• Supports students in the general education and pull-out rooms as assigned.
• Assists in data collection related to student performance in academic, behavioral, and social-emotional domains.
• Assists the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
• Distributes and collects work, papers, and other materials for instruction.
• Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, lunch periods, and field trips.
• Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of fully licensed and certified teachers.
• Participates in in-service training programs as assigned.
• Alerts the general education and/or special education teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student.
• Serves as the chief source of information and assists substitute teachers assigned in the general education and/or special education teacher's absence.
• May assist staff and students in using educational computer programs and additional forms of technology.
• Assists the teacher in maintaining accurate records required by federal, state, and District policies.
• Administers and assists in the evaluation of daily student assignments.
• Assists in organizing the learning environment; prepares and sets up instructional materials and equipment for classroom activities; maintains instructional material and equipment.
• Accompanies or assists students to and from their mode of transportation to and from school.
• Assists students with personal hygiene functions, including toileting, diapering, eating, dressing, and other self-help skills.
• Acts as a mandated reporter for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the students.
• Monitors student’s daily schedule and behavior plan to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Attends any problem-solving/IEP meeting and provides input as to the student’s progress to maintain a whole student approach to his/her education.
• Performs other related duties as required by the supervisor.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Paraprofessional Assessment completed successfully (if applicable).
• Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• New employees are required to obtain a valid Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety before the first day of employment.

Skills

This position occasionally requires lifting objects (up to 25 pounds), sitting for long periods, talking on the phone, standing, kneeling, stooping, and concentrating. Local and in-state travel may be required. The role involves kneeling, stooping, standing, and lifting activities in the performance of daily tasks.

Benefits

• Industry-leading pay, rewards, and referral bonuses.
• Paid time-off.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Discounted onsite childcare and student enrollment priority.
• Retirement plans.
• Promotion opportunities, training, mentoring, and tuition reimbursement.