PARAPROFESSIONAL – EARLY EDUCATION

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A minimum of thirty-sixty college hours from an accredited college or university is required, pass the Paraprofessional test in the State of Missouri or Missouri 20-hour Online Substitute Training Program, sixty college hours is preferred.
2. A valid Missouri Teaching Certificate is preferred.
3. Possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and physical attributes necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
4. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate or acceptable.

REPORTS TO:               Building Principal, Executive Director of Special Programs

                                        Direct Supervisor: Classroom Teacher

JOB GOAL:                   To assist with a teacher, group of teachers, or throughout the building to provide a well-organized, smoothly functioning environment in which students can take full advantage of the instructional program and available resource materials.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

1. Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
2. Administers, scores, and records such achievement and diagnostic tests as the teacher recommends for individual students.
3. 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.
4. Operates and cares for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes.
5. Helps students master equipment or instructional materials assigned by the teacher.
6. Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, and field trips.
7. Assists with such large group activities as drill work, reading aloud, and story-telling.
8. Reads to students, listens to students read, and participates in other forms of oral communication with students.
9. Assists students in transitions and throughout the building.
10. Checks folders, works with individual and small groups, supervises small groups, as assigned by the teacher.
11. Help students with clothing when necessary and appropriate.
12. Assist with the supervision of students.
13. Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
14. Serve as a substitute for the teacher, as assigned or required, on an emergency basis.
15. Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentially of information about students as is expected of a fully licensed teacher.
16. May be assigned to a specific assignment such as arrival and dismissal support, cafeteria support, recess supervision, etc.
17. Demonstrates effective human relations and communication skills.
18. Adheres to good safety practices.
19. Adheres to all district rules, regulations, and policies.
20. Assists students in self-monitoring strategies and de-escalation techniques.
21. Assists students with assistive technology devices.
22. Assists students with toileting and diapering.
23. Assists students with minimal feeding needs and other daily living skills.
24. Attends and completes the required trainings.
25. Assists students with transferring and lifting of students.
26. Demonstrates a basic understanding of Chronic Health Conditions.
27. Demonstrates knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment and follows all safety protocols.
28. Demonstrates understanding of student needs (wheelchair, assistive technology devices, etc…).
29. Assists students while they are experiencing crisis and or assists teachers while they are working with a student in crisis situations.
30. Other duties as required or assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:     The individual who holds this position is regularly required to walk, hear and speak and must have close moderate and distance vision ability. This individual must be able to travel between district facilities. The position requires a moderate amount of travel and physical activity.

CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:     The work environment is consistent with typical office/school environment.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:     Salary and work calendar to be established by the Board Of Education. Benefits according to Board policies.

FLSA:                                                                                 Non-Exempt

RETIREMENT:                                                                    Public Education Employee Retirement Systems (PEERS)

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES:                                       Substitute Certificate

CLEARANCES:                                                                    Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

EVALUATION:     Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluations utilizing the Performance Based Support Staff Evaluation process.