Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional

LEBANON SCHOOL DIST - Lebanon, MO

Full-time

Lebanon, MO

About the position

The Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional plays a crucial role in supporting students with special needs by providing supplementary aids and services. The primary goal is to facilitate access to the general curriculum, enhance social interactions, and promote a sense of belonging among students. This position involves working closely with certificated staff to ensure that students achieve their highest potential through personalized assistance and fostering positive relationships.

Responsibilities

• Reinforce student learning and performance expectations established by administrators.
• Demonstrate commitment to assisting learners in achieving their highest potential.
• Circulate and provide assistance to all students.
• Provide one-on-one or small group instruction, under the direction of a certificated staff member.
• Provide personal care assistance to students, such as toileting, feeding, hand washing, and teeth brushing (as needed and as directed).
• Complete assigned supervision roles of the general student population, typically before and after school.
• Establish and maintain positive rapport with all students.
• Act as a role model for students, while reinforcing positive character traits.
• Prepare and organize materials to support teaching and learning and enhance the physical environment, as directed.
• Use strategies as directed to increase the individual students independence and confidence.
• Use strategies as directed, in a variety of settings, to facilitate effective integration and assist in the development of social skills, both in school and community settings.
• Use strategies, equipment, materials, and technologies (as directed) to accomplish instructional objectives, based on individual needs.
• Foster respectful and beneficial relationships.
• Participate as directed in meetings, conferences, and discussions, as a member of the educational team; providing input on the present functioning and needs of the students.
• Demonstrate a positive regard for the distinctions between roles and responsibilities of paraeducators and those of certificated staff members, acknowledging that certificated staff members bear the ultimate responsibility and thus make final decisions.
• Assist in evaluating and adapting instructional strategies and materials as directed.
• Assist with the implementation of accommodations through the administration of state and district-wide assessments, as appropriate.
• Assist professionals with classroom and behavior management strategies, as directed.
• Assist in collecting and providing objective, accurate information to professionals, such as data regarding student behavior, performance, attitude, effort, etc.
• Collaborate with members of educational teams as directed.
• Perform responsibilities as directed in a manner consistent with laws and policies.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the diversity of students and families.
• Demonstrate problem solving, flexible thinking, and conflict management techniques.
• Demonstrate proficiency in academic skills, including oral and written communication.
• Demonstrate basic data collection techniques.
• Demonstrate the ability to separate personal issues from ones responsibilities as a paraeducator.

Requirements

• 60 college credit hours or passing score on the ParaAssessment; or such alternative to these qualifications that the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional documents, board policy, administrative procedures/forms, and government regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference; and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and exercise objective and prudent judgment.
• Understanding of basic computer functions such as word processing, spreadsheets, and internet use.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to follow verbal instructions and written plans of certificated staff members, seeking clarification as needed.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding students and families when required by law, policy, or a particular situation.
• Engagement in self-reflection and self-assessment to learn and grow; acceptance and use of constructive feedback.

Benefits

• Supportive work environment
• Opportunities for professional development
• Engagement with a diverse student population