Paraeducator - Exceptional Student Education Self Contained

Polk County Public Schools•Winter Haven, FL

About The Position

This position assists with a specific Exceptional Student Education (ESE) student's instructional and developmental program. The paraeducator provides clerical assistance, student supervision, behavior management, and related educational support throughout the school day under the general supervision of supervisors and teachers. Performance is evaluated through observation and/or periodic conferences, critiques, records, and reports. The role includes attending meetings and in-service training as necessary and becoming familiar with the assigned work site's philosophies, policies, procedures, and equipment. The paraeducator supports teachers with student records, teaching materials, and grading; reinforces instruction and tutors individuals or small groups under teacher direction; and assists with classroom activities, projects, discipline, and students' daily living skills. The position also involves supervising students during meals, programs, classes, staffings, field trips, bus loading and unloading, and playground duty. With appropriate training, duties may include changing, diapering, or feeding students; performing non-invasive medical procedures; participating in behavioral monitoring or assisting a Crisis Prevention Intervention team; and supporting student assistive technology. The paraeducator helps maintain safe, caring, and enriching instructional environments and uses technology to support instruction and assigned tasks. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or completion of a GED, and at least 60 credit hours or an associate degree or higher from an accredited school, or a passing score on the Para Pro exam.
Sincere interest in educating and working with exceptional children.
Ability to understand written and oral instructions, communicate coherently in speech and writing, keep records, and prepare simple reports.
Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with school personnel and parents.
Ability to sit and stand for much of the day and to walk and move about to coordinate work.
Ability to lift, carry, move, and/or position objects frequently weighing up to 40 pounds and infrequently weighing 100 pounds or more, with help as necessary.
Ability to assist students who have physical limitations, including lifting, moving, positioning, and supporting them.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual/biliterate.

Responsibilities

Assist assigned teachers with maintaining student records, preparing and distributing teaching materials, and grading student assignments.
Supervise students during meals, special programs and classes, staffings, field trips, bus loading and unloading, and playground duty.
Reinforce instruction for individuals and small groups and provide tutoring under teacher direction and supervision.
Help ensure classroom and instructional areas are safe, caring, and enriching.
Assist with classroom projects, student supervision, field trips, discipline, and daily living skills.
With appropriate training, change, diaper, or feed students and perform non-invasive medical procedures.
Monitor student behavior and, as needed, assist the Crisis Prevention Intervention team.
Attend necessary meetings and appropriate in-service training and become familiar with the assigned work site's policies, procedures, equipment, and philosophy.
Use technology to enhance instruction and complete assigned tasks.
Perform other duties as assigned.