Job Title: Paraprofessional Substitute
Department: Northstar or Raleigh Academy
Supervisor: Director of Special Education
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary

A paraprofessional at Duluth Edison Charter School (DECS) is committed to academic and personal excellence for every student.  He or she will understand what it means to be a lifelong learner and participate in ongoing professional development goal setting, learning and reflection in each school year.  The paraprofessional will be assigned to work directly with and under the guidance of a licensed paraprofessional teacher.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Participation in Supervisory Relationship

Attend and participate in meetings regularly scheduled by supervising teacher; complete morning and/or afternoon check-in with supervising teacher

Follow direction from general education teacher(s) with guidance from supervising special education supervisor; consult with supervising teacher if direction from special education supervisor and general education teacher conflicts

Delivery of Instruction/Academic Support

Be familiar with students IEP goals/objectives and accommodations

Assist students in accessing and utilizing accommodations

Observe and record student progress in academic areas related to IEP goals/objective

Help student in drill and practice lessons (vocabulary, math facts etc.); pre-teach assignments/lessons; read/repeat/paraphrase directions to students

Modify instructional materials; support students in reading/writing process in all curricular areas; assist students with individual projects

Facilitate student’s active participation in cooperative groups

Provide instruction during pull-asides and/or pull-out groups

Help students develop organizational skills

Assist students in accessing resource rooms

Supervision of Students

Supervise individual students or groups of students on arrival and/or departure and during lunch and recess times

Monitor students during passing periods

Supervise students during field trips and on bus, as applicable

Behavior Management

Implement behavior intervention plans under the direction of supervising teacher, Autism TOSA and/or social worker

Engage in de-escalation intervention techniques during crisis situation, ensuring the safety of the student and others

Observe and document individual student behavior according to specific goals/objectives

Circulate in classroom to provide behavioral supports per accommodations.

Enforce class and school rules across school settings when necessary

Assist students who are self-managing their behavior (with cues, prompts) as needed

Facilitate appropriate social interactions among students (model, pre-teach)

Team Participation

Participate in meetings as scheduled/directed, including in student-specific planning and problem-solving meetings

Engage in appropriate conflict management and problem-solving steps to resolve problems

Participate in performance evaluation process

Actively participate in training, including in non-violent crisis intervention training

Supervisory Responsibilities 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities

Qualifications 

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, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience 

A two-year degree or an equivalent of 60 semester credits earned from an accredited college or university or achieve a passing score on the Para Pro examination.

Language Skills 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common journals, reports, and education related documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or concerns from students, caregivers, regulatory agencies, or members of the school community.  Ability to write lesson plans and other materials that conform to commonly accepted style and format. Ability to effectively present information to students, caregivers, management, and colleagues.

Mathematical Skills 

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry as appropriate for educational support.

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Google Docs and a strong background in instructional technology platforms.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

 No license or certification is required; however, see the education and experience section for appropriate credentials.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and is regularly required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  In emergency situation, the employee may be required to engage in non-violent crisis intervention techniques. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.