Paraeducator - Transitional Kindergarten

Bethel School District 403•Spanaway, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for 7 hours per day at 178 days per year, providing direct, specially designed instruction to 3-5 year old students with and without special needs. The role involves collaborating with the ECEAP Special Education Teaching team to instruct students in an inclusive classroom setting, including Transitional Kindergarten/ECEAP/SPED/Pay To Go/Head Start students. The hire date is subject to School Board approval and may change. The hired individual must complete Right Response Training within 3-5 months of hire and renew it annually. Additionally, they must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and the state-mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program, which is dependent on state funding. Federal minimum employment requirements include being 18 years of age, holding a high school diploma or equivalent, and meeting one of several assessment or educational criteria, such as passing a ParaPathways or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment, holding an AA degree or higher, completing 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an accredited institution, completing a registered apprenticeship program, or successfully completing The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application, but official ones are required upon hire. TB testing, MMR vaccination, and passing TB test are required prior to official hire.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age
Hold high school diploma or its equivalent
Successfully passed the ParaPathways Assessment 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
Current CDA; or Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements; or AA/BA/MA in any field plus 12 ECE credits; or AA/BA/MA in any field plus CDA.
Demonstrated skill in reading, writing and communicating.
Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner.
Ability to remain flexible to 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 maintain confidentiality.
Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management techniques.
Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques.
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, parents and staff.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to fill in for instructor as needed in case of absence.
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.
Required to obtain first aid and CPR certification and Washington State food handlers' permit.
Proof of passing TB (tuberculosis) test.
Proof of MMR Vaccine.

Nice To Haves

One-year experience in an early childhood setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Instructs students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities, including family style meals to promote understanding of materials presented.
Provides encouragement, reinforcement and achievement of educational objectives and goals as established by instructor.
Assists with the administration of objective screening or other measurements.
Communicates with instructor concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students; consults with instructor concerning remediation or enrichment activities.
Assists professional staff in implementing a targeted program.
Assists instructor in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress.
Supervises student behavior in classrooms, playground, at lunch and snack, at bus boarding areas, on field trips, in the washroom and at other sites as assigned to promote safe and appropriate student behavior.
Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.
Instruct students in behavioral rules and codes for student safety, socialization and individual growth.
Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery.
Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff and parents for student progress and safety, and community relations.
Assists in scheduling parent visits to classroom and student home visits by instructor.
Assists with directing parent and student volunteers in the classroom, on field trips, and other program activities.
May provide assistance to special needs students, such as lifting and positioning or assistance with personal hygiene.
Performs food setup, preparation, warming, service and general cleanup.
Washes dishes and laundry and disinfects tables.
May prepare specialized food.
May conduct or accompany instructor to visit students in their home settings.
Records or assists in recording documentation of the visit and observations.
Monitors need for first aid for injured or ill students and refers for treatment as appropriate.
Participates in a variety of meetings and training sessions.
Assists in maintaining records, attendance, meal count, budget changes to meet local and ESD program requirements.
Maintains daily documentation log of students' transportation information according to program requirements.
Works as a member of the program instructional team staffing to develop and implement programs and services to eligible children and families.
May have flexible hours to allow employee to participate in family and community activities related to the program.
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 assigned instructor.
Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes material; operates a variety of office equipment.
Maintains physical appearance of classroom and other assigned areas; maintains, assembles and stores playground equipment as assigned; maintains supplies as assigned.
Provides backup, in the classroom as assigned; answers telephone; files materials.
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.