ED PARA,PRE-K,C

Orange County Public Schools•Orlando, FL

About The Position

Under direct supervision, provides staff support in an educational or childcare environment by assisting teachers and pre-kindergarten-age students. Works with children individually or in small groups, providing basic instruction in developmentally appropriate abilities and skills. Assists teachers with transporting children to scheduled activities, including lunch, rest time, and restroom visits. Essential functions are performed according to the needs of the assigned teacher(s), and related work may be assigned as directed. The role includes supporting classroom instruction and activities, monitoring children's safety and conduct, helping children develop gross and fine motor skills, preparing instructional materials and classroom displays, maintaining attendance and other records, and assisting with classroom equipment and learning resources. Employees must keep job-related technology skills current and maintain timely and accurate information. The position requires an associate’s degree or higher, at least 60 semester hours from an accredited institution, or a passing paraprofessional certification exam as a substitute for the educational requirement. Applicants must be highly qualified before starting employment. The work requires the ability to meet the dexterity and physical demands of the role and effectively attend to preschool-age children. Previous vocational training or work experience in a licensed childcare environment is preferred.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or higher, or at least 60 semester hours from an accredited institution; an official transcript is required to validate education.
A passing paraprofessional certification exam may substitute for the educational requirement to meet highly qualified status.
Must be highly qualified before starting employment with Orange County Public Schools.
Ability to fulfill the dexterity and physical requirements of the work and effectively attend to the needs of preschool-age children.
Ability to operate, maneuver, or control standard office equipment.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, follow detailed but routine written or oral instructions, and exercise judgment in situations involving changing duties.

Nice To Haves

Previous vocational training or work experience in a licensed childcare environment.

Responsibilities

Respond to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous, and empathetic manner, representing OCPS positively.
Monitor pre-kindergarten-age children's activities and behavior to ensure physical and environmental safety and appropriate conduct.
Assist teachers with supervising learning activities and provide classroom assistance and learning support to children.
Provide instruction as directed by the supervising teacher and reinforce skills through games, stories, and other constructive activities.
Assist teachers in checking and objectively evaluating children's progress; teach individuals and small groups in line with instructional guidelines.
Assist children with gross motor activities, including grasping, holding objects, posture, crawling, walking, and running, and with fine motor activities such as playing with toys, cutting, and coloring.
Assist with lesson plan preparation and teacher pre-planning; contribute to classroom activities and learning tools.
Help identify and report potential learning or communication deficiencies, monitor children's progress, and document learning activities and diagnoses.
Prepare instructional materials and perform support tasks such as copying, laminating, typing correspondence, and filing records.
Coordinate with media center staff for classroom learning resources and set up instructional equipment.
Help prepare bulletin boards, classroom decorations, displays of children's activities, and other classroom materials.
Maintain attendance records, assign student seating, and learn assigned bus routes.
Maintain accurate records and enter scores and children's data using a computer terminal when required.
Perform assigned monitoring duties in locations such as hallways, lunchrooms, restrooms, and buses, ensuring appropriate student conduct.
Provide assistance and instruction or information to students in assigned labs, when applicable.
Keep current with job-appropriate technology used by OCPS and attend district-supported training to maintain required skills.
Maintain timely and accurate job-related information.
Perform related duties as directed.