Special Education Paraprofessional
2 months ago
Joliet
Non-Certificated Personnel Full Time - 9 Months Bargaining Unit Position NonExempt Reports To: Principal, Assistant Principal, Academic Advisor, Student Services Coordinator, Special Education Classroom Teacher Relates To: Coordinators, Parents Salary And Benefits: In accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the Board of School Inspectors of School District 86, Collective Bargaining Agreement - Joliet #86 School Related Personnel Council Aft-Local 604 found on the following link: Support Union Maximum 5 years full-time Experience Job Summary: Under the direction of the Building administration, Student Services Coordinator, and assigned classroom teacher, assist in providing instruction to individuals or small groups of students in a classroom or instructional setting; performs various tasks in assisting with the educational needs associated with the particular program to which assigned. Classroom paraprofessionals, paraprofessionals, and one-to-one paraprofessionals may function in a variety of roles: those which are instructionally-based, those which are physically-management based and those which are medically-based. Job responsibilities may shift among these roles depending upon the needs of the student/s. Education, Experience, And/Or Certification: • Valid State of Illinois Professional Educator License with Self-Contained General Education Endorsement or Educator License with Stipulations (PARA), • Degree or minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit, • Demonstrated concern for the child's well-being, • Willingness to accept instruction Essential Duties And Responsibilities: • Prepares for classroom and/or other assigned activities under the direction of the teacher and/or principal., • Assist the classroom teacher with the instruction and supervision of students during classroom activities., • Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce new skills initially introduced by the classroom teacher., • Assist the classroom teacher in devising and implementing strategies for reinforcing skills based on data., • Maintain anecdotal notes, written observations, and other approved forms of documentation for students when instructed to do so by the classroom teacher., • Assist with critical daily activities., • Ability to work harmoniously with others and to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with the public and district personnel using tact, courtesy, and good judgment., • Ability to perform support functions requiring independent judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving in accordance with established policies and regulations., • Ability to maintain the privacy of sensitive and confidential information., • Ability to follow oral and written instructions., • Perform general clerical duties such as: preparation of instructional materials, scoring student work, preparing materials for classroom use, etc., • Operate a variety of office equipment such as copy machines, computers, and printers., • Possess language skills including composition, punctuation, spelling, and correct usage., • Attend building meetings and in-service training., • Maintain commitment to ongoing professional development., • Other Duties as assigned. Is responsible for instructionally-based activities: • understands the typical developmental characteristics of the age group and exceptional students, • is familiar with the teaching strategy the teacher wants to use, • is able to provide reinforcers in the way the teacher has planned, • is aware of students' strengths and weaknesses, • provides the teacher with feedback on the success/failure of an understanding of the students' skills and knowledge, • follows lesson plans developed by the certified staff member, • clarifies directions and procedures, • uses spoken/written/sign language and vocabulary that are clear and age-appropriate, • asks questions of a high quality, with adequate wait time for the student to respond, • promotes classroom interaction, • assists individual students or small groups with tasks, • engages all students in discussion and encourages students to formulate questions, • links content to students' prior knowledge and experience, • works with a variety of instructional grouping patterns to foster student engagement in learning, • uses a variety of instructional strategies to meet the variety of learner needs, • provides feedback in a timely manner and specific to the learner, • helps assess student progress through observing and recording data Is responsible for one or more students with specific medical needs: • may assist with toileting, which may include diapering and/or assisting students in any stage of the toileting process, • may assist with feeding, including g-tube feeding, • may catheterize, • may need to lift students and position them, • may need to manage medical equipment, i.e., braces Is responsible for monitoring a student's behavior under the direction of the supervising teacher: • establishes a positive working relationship with the student, • monitors appropriate physical behavior, • monitors appropriate on-task behavior, • charts behavior data, • implements and follows any Behavior Management Plans, • keeps the teacher informed of behavior, • follows the teacher's lead/guidelines in the implementation of behavior controls Is responsible for assisting special education students within the general education classroom: • assists general education teachers with modification of instruction according to the IEPs, • works with small groups and individual students to support general education classroom instruction, • prepares instructional materials, • assists with the administration of general education assessment, • assists with the implementation of student Behavior Management Plans, • works with small groups and individual students to support classroom instruction, • supports special education students in the general education curriculum in areas in which they have no IEP goals Supervisory Role: Small groups of children or one-on-one with a child, as assigned, under the supervision of a certified teacher. Communication Skills: • Strong communication and interpersonal skills., • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback., • Ability to compose correspondence, reports, and/or other required written materials., • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret information., • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions, inquiries, and/or complaints., • Displays courtesy, tact, and respect when dealing with others. Mathematical Skills: • Ability to perform basic math using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals consistent with the duties of this position. Reasoning Ability: • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Other Skills And Abilities: • Knowledge of basic child guidance, principles, and practices., • Maintains appropriate confidentiality., • Knowledge of safe practices in the school environment., • Promotes a harassment-free environment., • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships; demonstrates a commitment to teamwork., • Ability to learn and utilize office equipment, computers, and software, especially as systems are upgraded., • Ability to learn and upgrade job skills in order to meet the changing demands of the position., • Excellent computer and keyboarding skills., • Excellent grammatical, spelling, and punctuation skills., • Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent interruptions, and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism., • Knowledge of and ability to perform duties in compliance with all district, Board, state, and federal laws, methods, requirements, policies, procedures, and activities pertinent to the duties of this position., • Ability to work independently with minimum supervision., • Ability to use independent judgment and demonstrate initiative to act without being asked., • Perform other