Summary
Description
Position Purpose – Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives.
Essential Job Functions – Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills. – Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs. – Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments. – Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs. – Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance. – Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task. – Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas. – Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision. – Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed. – Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education. – Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc. – Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed. – Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities. – Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
Additional Duties: – Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed. – Perform any other related duties as assigned. Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.
Equipment – Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form. – Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students. – Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel). – Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. – Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others. – Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs. – Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work. – Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required. – Effective writing and verbal communication skills.
Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards – Works in standard office and school building environments. – Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities. Note: Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.
Qualifications Profile – In addition to a high school diploma or equivalent, the paraprofessional must provide documentation of achieving at least one of the following:
- At least two years of college credits (usually 60 credits if earned in Minnesota) through an accredited institution of higher education; or
- An associate’s degree or higher; or
- A passing score on an approved, formal assessment (Paraeducator or ParaPro) demonstrating the knowledge and ability to assist with instruction in reading/language arts, writing, mathematics or readiness for each.
Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.
To Apply: Please send cover letter and resume to principal, Paula Criego, at pcriego@melaschool.org.
