- Assisting assigned teacher with instructional and physical student support is a primary responsibility of this position. This includes helping with the delivery of instructional activities according to the individual student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) as assigned and developed by certified/licensed staff. This may include helping with the design and implementation of an appropriate learning environment, while incorporating appropriate assistive technologies and multi-sensory materials. Instructional support will also involve helping students integrate into all classroom activities, and requires some communication with general education teachers regarding student needs. Imparting life skills such as self-hygiene and social/emotional skills are also a part of the Para’s responsibilities. This position will often use communication processes that sometimes require the Para to interpret non-verbal cues. Employee will also create and use a variety of instructional and other materials (e.g. games, schedules, visual supports, observation and success logs, etc.) that promote student growth and development. The Paraprofessional will also supervise and facilitate sensory and movement rest periods between structured activities, to support the student in self-regulation and increase student engagement. The duties under this responsibility may require the paraprofessional to assist with mobility and the physical orientation of students.
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- Assisting the teacher in implementing positive behavior plans and systems appropriate to the individual student is a responsibility of this position. This includes modeling and promoting appropriate behaviors for students, which are aligned with the early childhood social emotional curriculum being used in the classroom. The para will help students identify and manage feelings and emotions, and support students in the development of calm down strategies as they develop appropriate learner behaviors. Students may sometimes display inappropriate or aggressive behaviors, requiring the Paraprofessional to intervene to ensure the safety of all children, and help the student implement self-soothing or other behavior management techniques.
In rare cases the Para may be assigned students that require line-of-sight supervision which also requires a high level of planning, team collaboration, established processes and setting consistent expectations. |
- As assigned, providing student oversight and supervision during out-of-classroom activities including arrivals and departures, outside activities, field trips, and other non-classroom settings is a daily responsibility of this position. Successful supervision requires the employee to communicate continuously with peer and other building staff in order to keep track of student movements, schedules, and locations. Employee holds an expectation to follow established District policies and procedures regarding off-site travel, classroom volunteers, temporary unavailability, and overseeing students under their responsibilities.
Based on a student’s needs the Paraprofessional may be requested to travel with a student during transportation to and from school/home as an accommodation. In these cases, the employee works with the ECSE Teacher to adopt a flexible work schedule in order to meet this accommodation. In these cases, the Paraprofessional may also assist with student’s transportation needs during various field trips and community outings as assigned. |
- Serving students to provide, assist in, and demonstrate personal hygienic needs is a primary responsibility of this position. Services are provided according to the individual needs of each student and there is an expectation to maintain the student’s HIPPA confidentiality and personal dignity in providing for these needs. Responsibilities may include dispensing of medications, meal preparation, feeding or toileting/diapering. This paraprofessional role is expected to follow child care licensing guidelines for diapering and handwashing activities. There is an overarching responsibility of this position to maintain a sanitary workplace and use Universal Precautions with the highest level of personal hygiene and self-care for the employee and students.
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- Collecting and reviewing progress on students’ work toward Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals/objectives are completed with the SpEd teacher on a regular basis and adjustments made to ensure IEP compliance as well as students’ needs are being met. Duties also includes participating in team planning, trainings and professional development activities as needed. In addition, this position often acts as a technical resource for other staff within their assigned building regarding Special Education students, providing support, information, and/or technique or procedure trainings as requested/assigned.
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- Other duties as assigned.
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