Position is Monday - Friday, 8 hrs/day (40 hrs/week) Remainder of 2023-2024 School Year

Job Title:               PARAPROFESSIONAL/EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT

Reports To:           Appropriate Teacher(s)/Administrators

Evaluated By:        Administrator

JOB GOAL:  Under direct supervision of a licensed teacher or administrator, performs a variety of tasks; assisting the teacher in the development of an instructional program by working with students individually or in small/large groups, preparing instructional materials, assisting in implementation of classroom discipline, and conducting planned activities using teacher- designated methods and materials.  Some positions may require aptitude and skill in working with the particular disabilities or learning needs of students.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:  To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to execute each requirement satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed for the position.

  1.  High School Diploma or equivalent;

  2.  Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance;

  3.  Must meet District requirements of being "Highly Qualified,"  

  4.  18 years of age or older;

  5.  Ability to work harmoniously with others and to communicate effectively (both orally and

       in writing) with students and staff;  

  6.  Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions;    

  7.  Ability to maintain confidentiality of students and their records;

  8.  Ability to supervise individual or groups of students in an instructional setting without

       constant teacher oversight; work in a team situation;

  9.  Ability to deliver instructional programs to students who have learning and physical 

       disabilities and/or social behavior problems;

10.  Ability to work effectively in an environment which can be both physically and emotionally

       fatiguing; perform physically demanding requirements of the job;          

11.  Possess knowledge of English usage, mathematics, and a basic understanding of the

       subjects in which this position is to provide assistance;

12.  Ability to demonstrate standards of moral character and behavior to serve as an effective

       role model for students;

13.  Demonstrate a positive attitude in working with children with special needs;

14.  Ability to type accurately; operate standard office equipment such as computer, copier, and

       word processor; and operate audio-visual equipment;

15. Understand basic provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);

16. Understand basic elements of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP);

17.  Ability to direct and respond appropriately to students;

18.  Ability to occasionally work with students who may exhibit aggressive behavior, as required

       of specific job assignment;

19.  Ability to occasionally work with students who require attention to basic feeding and  

       personal hygiene needs, as required by specific job assignment;

20.  Ability to occasionally support students with medical or health needs;

21.  In an ESL/migratory position, if specified by the administration, ability to be bilingual

        in Spanish, English, or other languages. (speak, read, and write);

22.  Ability to occasionally perform physical activities which may include: moving and/or lifting 

       of students with physical disabilities; moving, lifting, and/or physically restraining of 

       students with emotional and/or behavioral disabilities;

23.  Ability to perform physical activities which may include frequent standing, 

       walking, bending, and/or lifting;

24.  Ability to occasionally assist students with personal hygiene tasks, assist students with injury  

       and/or illness that could result and possible exposure to bodily fluids;

25.  Such alternative to the above requirements as the School Board or the Administration may

       deem appropriate and acceptable.            

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  include the following.  Other duties may also be assigned.

  1.  Assist teachers in the planning and implementation of learning experiences of students 

       enrolled in programs; confer with teacher to provide feedback on student performance,

       progress, and testing activities; 

  2.  Assist the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on a

       sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities;

  3.  Assist in monitoring classroom management in accordance with the district's discipline

       procedures, which may include the physical restraint, physical movement, lifting and

       carrying of students;

  4.  Supervise students in and outside of the classroom with an understanding of and provision

       for a safe environment;

  5.  Perform various clerical functions in student record keeping, monitor assignments, maintain

       accurate files, and other related functions; 

  6.  Assist with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, and play periods;

  7.  Assist with large group activities as drill work, reading aloud, and storytelling;

  8.  Read to students, listen to students read, and participate in other forms of oral communication

       with students; 

  9.  Check notebooks, corrects papers, and supervises testing and make up work as assigned by

       the teacher; 

10.  Handle discipline problems in accordance with the district's discipline procedures;

11.  Alert the teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student;

12.  Serve as a source of information and support to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence

      of the regular teacher;

13.  Assist with record keeping to monitor students' daily and monthly data on instructional and

       behavioral progress;

14.  Assist classroom teacher in diagnostic testing and reporting;

15.  Provide remedial instruction as requested;

16.  Prepare and teach a unit of instruction under the supervision of a teacher;

17.  Perform clerical duties such as typing, computer entry, duplicating and record keeping;

18.  Provide supervision of student in buildings or other school areas and school related activities

       (i.e., hall duty, at assemblies, in lunch and playground areas, or with school buses as

        required);

19.  Assist the classroom teacher in maintaining class and student records;

20.  Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students

       and staff;

21.  Act as a friendly ambassador for the School District #30;

22.  Perform such other tasks (which may require knowledge of other job descriptions) as may

       seem to be appropriate to the Board or Administration;

23.  Participate in in-service programs as assigned;

24.  Maintains satisfactory attendance, as defined in District policy and regulations;

25.  Assist education teaching staff with implementing individualized education plan

       (IEP);

26.  Assist education teaching staff responsible for preparation, implementation, and evaluation of  

       individual and group behavioral programs;

27.  Assist education teaching staff in communicating with teachers and parents of student's

       progress;

28.  Assist teaching staff responsible for writing, reviewing, updating, implementing, and

       evaluating instructional programs; 

29.  Occasionally assist students who may exhibit aggressive behavior, which may include 

       physical restraint, as required by specific job assignment;

30.  Occasionally assist with physical management of student, including lifting, moving, and

       positioning of disabled students, as required by specific job assignment; and

31.  Occasionally assist students with medical issues by completing medical and/or health procedures, as  

       required by specific job assignment.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, BONDING, AND/OR TESTING REQUIRED: 

  1.  Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance (prior to hire)

  2.  Blood borne Pathogen Training/Suicide Prevention Training/Training as designated by the

       District (these can be administered after hire and in house)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Days and hours to be arranged, with salary according to current schedule.

EVALUATION:  Following the probationary period, performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of classified personnel.