Paraeducator - 1:1 Developmental Learning Classroom

Olympia School District•Olympia, WA

About The Position

The Paraeducator in a 1:1 Developmental Learning Classroom assists with student supervision and instruction to address academic, social/emotional, and functional life goals across instructional settings, which may include the community. The role supports students who qualify for special education and works with certificated staff to implement individual education program (IEP) goals, instructional plans, behavioral plans, and necessary accommodations. This is a continuing position scheduled for 6.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for 180 days per year, plus 10 paid holidays. Employees and their families are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, subject to final benefit eligibility. Employees may enroll in the applicable Department of Retirement Services plan and the Deferred Compensation Program. Vacation leave, paid holidays, and additional compensation are provided as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
When applicable, successful completion of one of the following: the ETS ParaPro assessment; the Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program; 72 quarter or 48 semester credits from an institution of higher education; or an associate degree or higher. Required credits must be at the 100 level or above, and official transcripts are required where applicable.
Criminal Justice Fingerprint Clearance.
Prior job-related experience with school-age children who qualify for special education.
Participation in all OSD-required health-related trainings.
First Aid and CPR training may be required.
Willingness to complete appropriate training to gain required skills, such as Type II License or Food Handlers Permit.
Right Response Certification or willingness to obtain and maintain it.
Ability to perform basic clerical functions and arithmetic, operate standard office equipment, and use written and spoken English with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Ability to address students’ special health care needs, including personal hygiene and toileting or diapering as necessary.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; maintain confidentiality; meet schedules and deadlines; interpret and apply rules, regulations, and policies; and quickly learn instructional methods and materials.
Effective collaboration and communication skills.
Ability to remain alert, anticipate and prevent unsafe situations or behavioral escalation, and respond promptly to protect student safety.
Ability to facilitate positive communication and social skills and support participation and learning, potentially in community settings.
Ability to support student engagement using effective instructional management techniques and assistive or adaptive technology.
Ability to self-monitor and adjust interactions, including proximity, vocabulary, volume, tone, sentence length, and use of visual supports, to promote student understanding and success.
Ability to maintain high expectations for student learning and maximize student independence.
Ability to collect student data independently, consistently, and accurately.
Ability to have or obtain training in district instructional methodologies such as STAR, FACTER, Structured Teaching, and ABA.
Ability to represent the district professionally through communication, social interactions, and appearance.

Responsibilities

Assist certificated staff in implementing plans related to IEP program development, including functional behavioral assessments, behavior intervention plans, aversive therapy plans, and communication and OT/PT goals.
Help create educational materials that support student progress toward IEP goals and objectives.
Collect and communicate relevant data to help certificated staff evaluate student progress.
Provide first aid, medical assistance, and other health care support, including personal hygiene and toileting assistance when necessary.
Maintain student files and records to support appropriate special education programs.
Monitor students across educational settings to provide a safe, positive learning environment and facilitate curriculum, material, and schedule accommodations or modifications.
Assist other personnel in implementing identified student instructional and behavioral programs and supporting students in assigned duties.
Collaborate with colleagues to evaluate student progress and implement student objectives.
Contribute to a positive and productive learning environment for students and staff.
Maintain confidentiality in communications regarding students, staff, and parents.
Facilitate student independence in instructional settings.
Participate in team meetings and required training to collaborate, share information, and improve skills and knowledge.
Create visual supports, student schedules, and reward systems.
Implement instructional techniques, district curricula, and individual student plans consistently and with fidelity.
Use assistive and adaptive technology and methods to support communication and adaptive living skills.
Collect student data relevant to individual and classroom goals accurately and consistently.
Use de-escalation strategies, anticipate unsafe situations or behavioral escalation, and respond promptly to maintain student safety.
Provide instruction or follow teacher instruction across general and special education curricular areas and school settings.
Represent Olympia School District professionally when supporting students in community or other public settings.