PARA SPED / Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten (DRK)

Bethel School District 403•Spanaway, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position's responsibilities are to assist certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for students with disabilities in an integrated Kindergarten classroom, and including instructing students individually or in small groups, assisting students with basic life skills, and supervising student behavior activities. The position requires the individual to assist in the administration of objective tests or other measurements, communicate with certificated staff concerning individual student progress, adjust methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students, and consult with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities. The paraeducator will also assist in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress. Additionally, the role involves attending to student physical and safety needs, monitoring students for medical risks, correcting behaviors, and maintaining discipline. Personal care duties may include assisting students with toileting, personal hygiene, feeding, and basic living skills. The paraeducator will also establish and maintain effective communication with students, staff, and parents, provide physical assistance to students, monitor the need for first aid, and maintain classroom cleanliness and hygiene. Other functions include preparing and modifying materials, operating office equipment, maintaining the physical appearance of the classroom, and potentially serving on district committees. The position reports to the school principal or assigned administrator and receives guidance from certificated staff.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age
Hold high school diploma or its equivalent
Successfully passed the ETS Para Pro test or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment
AA degree or higher
Earned seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education
Completion of registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries
Successful completion of The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program
Demonstrated skill in reading, writing and communicating.
Knowledge of basic subject areas, such as reading and math.
Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner.
Ability to remain flexible in changes in assignments.
Ability to organize activities.
Ability to follow and give instructions.
Ability to be fair and consistent when working with students.
Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management techniques.
Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques.
Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders.
Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures.
Ability to learn the use of computers and various software packages for student instruction and record keeping.
Ability to learn the operation of general office machines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff.
Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts.
Requires some confidentiality.
Willing to be trained in a variety of medical procedures if necessary, such as, administration of medication, tube feeding, etc.
Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine that there have been no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury or neglect of a minor.
Must complete training in and adhere to district infection control plan.
Must complete Right Response Training and receive qualifications within the first 3-5 months of hire date.
Renewal of Right Response certification must be completed annually prior to expiration date.
Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program per State requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with school age children and special needs students preferred.

Responsibilities

Instructs students with a range of disabilities individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities to promote student understanding of materials presented.
Provides encouragement, reinforcement and achievement of educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff.
Assists in the administration of objective tests or other measurements.
Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students; consults with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities.
Assists certificated staff in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress.
Attends to student physical and safety needs; monitors students for medical risks such as seizures and behaviors that may result in harm to themselves or others.
Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.
Assists students with toileting, which may include catheterization and diapering; attends to the personal hygiene needs of students.
Assists students in washing hands and face, brushing teeth and hair, and taking showers.
Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery; helps feed students and teaches social aspects of eating with others.
Assists students with basic living skills and pre-vocational activities.
Works with students to develop communication skills; facilitates integration of students with age-group peers to the extent possible.
Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff and parents for student progress and safety, and community relations.
Provides physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning.
Uses adaptive equipment to communicate with students; follows and documents procedures established by physical therapist.
Monitors need for first aid for students and refers for treatment as appropriate.
Maintains cleanliness and hygiene of classroom, implements and equipment.
Washes dishes; cleans and disinfects tables and counters; washes and dries clothes, towels, washcloths and bibs.
Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
Locates, prepares and/or modifies materials for student use, enrichment activities and special projects under the direction of certificated staff.
Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes materials; operates a variety of office equipment.
Maintains physical appearance of classroom and other assigned areas; maintains, assembles and stores therapeutic and other equipment as assigned; maintains supplies as assigned.
May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams.
Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines.
Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.