Instructional Assistant 26/27 SY

Cleveland Metropolitan School District

21h•Onsite

About The Position

An instructional assistant, also known as a paraprofessional, provides assistance with handling the unique needs of students by providing additional instructional support. This includes tutoring individual or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher, monitoring and overseeing student progress, maintaining behavioral standards and order, and providing individualized support for the students as directed in their individual education plan (IEP). Our instructional assistants also provide student supervision before, during, and after school, while they are loading, and unloading buses, on the playground, in the cafeteria, during emergency drills, and during other school events. When needed, an Instructional Assistant also supports activities of daily living and intervenes to redirect inappropriate behavior. Successful instructional assistants work closely with their assigned teachers and other professionals to create a high-quality instructional environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Associate's Degree
Minimum of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of college credit
Successfully pass the ParaPro Assessment
Required to possess (or be able to obtain within 60 days) an Ohio EducationalAide Permit
Permit must remain valid during employment in this position
High moral character
Genuine interest in working with children/youth
Desire to serve the school and community
Effective written and oral communication
Experience working with students particularly with specialized needs
Ability to quickly trail any student that elopes
Manual dexterity to use for items like classroom and building equipment and supplies
Bending, kneeling, twisting or stooping and other movements as required to ensure safety of scholars
Ability to write legibly
Vision (Near, Color, Depth Perception)
Sense of Sound (Ability to hear fire alarms, bells, and PA system)
Sense of Touch
Ability to speak clearly and distinctly
Able to work near students and other staff
The ability to work with students and adults displaying a variety of emotions including, but not limited to, joy, happiness, sorrow, fear, anger and aggression in controlled, uncontrolled and unpredictable situations.

Nice To Haves

related college education courses preferred
State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) Certification preferred for Nursing Positions
Ability to communicate with students who are deaf/hard of hearing (sign language) is an essential function of this role.

Responsibilities

Adapts to the individual social, emotional, and academic needs of the students
Respects and redirects scholars through preventative, proactive, and dignified classroom management techniques that reflect structure, equity, and consistency
Understands, believes, and can articulate how and why Special Education is a service and not a destination
Reinforces student activities and behavior as directed by the teacher in areas which might include academic tasks, social skills, or other instructional components of the program
Assists the teacher in the implementation of behavior management programs and with intervention of behavioral problems and provides information to teacher regarding student performance
Identifies, locates, and uses materials appropriate for each student
Schedules space for specialized instructional programs and coordinates the arrangement of equipment, desks, tables, chairs, and activity areas
Assists and monitors the students in special training activities, including personal hygiene, and other self-help skills
Observes students as directed by the teacher and records specific behaviors exhibited as outlined on each student's IEP
Records academic and social progress as required by the teacher
Assists the teacher in preparing, collecting, and adapting materials
Collects and uses equipment under the direction of the teacher
Maintains materials and equipment in good condition
Performs other routine duties as assigned by principal
Participates as a member of a team, follows guidelines and instructions of teacher and school team
Paraprofessionals are not expected to perform duties in student homes
Support for 1 child which includes spending your entire day with the student
Assist with implementation of behavior intervention plan (including but not limited to tracking of data, taking students away from instruction for de-escalation, etc.)
Assist with communication under the guidance of the intervention specialist and/or speech language pathologist (i.e. use of augmentative communication, implementation of PECS, or a picture schedule, etc.)
Physical assistance as needed
Scribe for written assignments
Physical assistance for moving in and out of wheelchair or navigating building
Physical assistance on and off transportation
Physical assistance for hygiene needs (i.e. toileting, washing hands, etc.)
Physical assistance for eating, including obtaining lunches, assist with opening and set up, assist with feeding
Conduct small group activities that are planned by the Intervention Specialist
Attend Encore classes with students to provide support
Lifting and positioning of students as needed (based on doctor, therapist and/or IEP team determination)
Understanding and use of assistive technology and devices
Behavioral support may take up a large portion of your day
Provide support to students within the regular education classroom
Assist with non-academic times of day: bus drop-off and pick-up, lunch, nap time, and recess
Assistance with navigating unfamiliar environments
Assistance with creating or organizing supplementary aids, such as large print texts or tactile items
Help students use assistive technology
Facilitate students’ communication with others