Classroom Paraeducator - ES

South Fayette Township School District • McDonald, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Classroom Paraeducator - ES position at South Fayette Township School District assists children in developing self-sufficiency, communication, interpersonal, mobility, and behavioral skills. The role involves encouraging, supporting, and educating students by assisting them with daily living activities to promote their comfort, well-being, and integrity. A key goal is to foster independence to the maximum extent possible, enabling students to succeed based on their individual needs and disabilities. The paraeducator will support regular and special education teachers in all aspects of the educational program to maximize student participation and success in the least restrictive environment. This includes assisting students with learning, behavioral, emotional, and social difficulties. Maintaining student safety at all times is a critical function, as students may lack awareness of basic safety regulations.

Requirements

• Two or Four Year Degree (preference to the field of education)
• Current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Experience working with children with disabilities
• Ability to work cooperatively with many individuals
• Ability to communicate with adults and children effectively
• Dependable and mature in demeanor
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to take notes
• Ability to learn about specific characteristics, interventions, and strategies related to varying disabilities/atypical syndromes
• Strong commitment to the goals, mission, and philosophy of the school district
• Expresses a strong desire and enthusiasm to make a difference in a students’ lives
• Experience in behavior strategies in working with children/youth

Responsibilities

• Support students in the areas of academics, social, emotional and functional skills.
• Facilitate and model appropriate social interaction throughout entire school day.
• Supervise students and manage student behaviors using basic management techniques throughout entire school day. These techniques include redirection, modeling, positive and negative reinforcement, shaping and direct hand-over-hand assistance.
• Deliver independent learning activities in various academic areas, as well as “specials” areas, as assigned.
• Accompany students to various settings throughout the school and district community, including field trips and special functions.
• Provide students with re-direction, organization, coping strategies and other specially designed instruction as specified in their IEPs.
• Support the medical needs of assigned student(s) as necessary in order to increase their independence and to increase the student’s ability to access their education.
• Follow medical crisis plans as necessary for students with medical needs.
• Assist student(s) with functional activities such as: Buying a lunch, Delivering notes from home, Packing and unpacking items from back pack, Manipulating fasteners, Removing and putting on outer wear, Hanging up items in the closet, Organizing items in desk, Getting out needed supplies such as pencils, crayons, glue as appropriate, Unpacking lunch box, Opening food containers, Cleaning up and gathering items after lunch, Prompting student to wash hands, wipe nose, wipe face, etc.
• Assist in maintaining communication between home and school when appropriate with the classroom teacher and/or administration.
• Monitor students’ progress on IEP goals as outlined by special education staff.
• Assist teachers with reporting data regarding student progress on IEP goals/objectives and/or Individual Student Positive Behavior Support Plan.
• Communicate with special education teacher(s) regarding the progress of special education students across settings.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences and Individualized Education Plan meetings when requested.
• Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and maintain certification.
• Possess the ability to work as a team player with teachers in classrooms and with administration in the buildings.
• Display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment, work closely with other departments/programs as necessary and display professional team spirit.
• Perform a wide variety of tasks and be able to change focus quickly as situations change and manage these transitions and tasks effectively.
• Write effectively to complete daily/weekly/monthly online Medical Assistance (MA) forms regarding children/youth that you are assigned responsibilities.
• Acquire if needed based on 2 year/4 year degree, the PDE Credential of Paraeducator Competency during the first two years of employment at South Fayette Township School District.
• Participate in professional development to acquire the needed 20 hours annually to retain the “high qualified paraeducator status.”
• May be asked to perform other job-related responsibilities as designated by the special education teacher, regular education teacher, building principals, and/or the Director of Pupil Personnel.

Benefits

• Rate – $18.24 as per the negotiated contract for the probationary period of 45 working days. $22.80 after successful completion of the probationary period.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree