Paraprofessional - ;Specialized Program Assistant ;

Westerly Public Schools•Westerly, RI

About The Position

This paraprofessional position, under the supervision of the teacher, is responsible for the instruction, accommodations and personal care of students within a specialized program. The paraprofessional is responsible for the development of an effective personal relationship with children having special needs, which requires an unusual amount of patience, empathy and flexibility on the part of the paraprofessional. The position requires assisting a teacher in various instructional duties, performing clerical duties according to established procedures which can be learned on the job, following individual or program based behavior plans and following a medical plan for students under the guidance of the school nurse.

Requirements

Ability to work with children who have special needs in a sensitive, respectful and effective manner.
Ability to learn assigned duties readily and to adhere to prescribed classroom procedures.
Ability to respond simultaneously to a variety of needs for students and staff while maintaining a high degree of sensitivity to individual needs.
Demonstrates effective verbal and written communications skills
Must maintain First Aid and Safety Care Certification.
Physically capable of: walking, jumping, running, balancing, climbing, crawling, standing , turning stooping, crouching, kneeling, sitting, reaching, lifting, carrying, throwing, pushing, handling, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, color vision, depth perception pulling, grasping and lifting, transferring and repositioning up to at least 50 pounds with assistance.
Ability to follow through with a medical care plan under the supervision of a school-nurse teacher.
Demonstrates proficiency in essential computer applications as required, including data collection techniques, Microsoft and Google Suites.
Ability to learn and assist student(s) with the use of a variety of augmentative/communication devices and activities.
Ability to learn computer applications in order to assist students with functional as well as academic needs.
Assist in Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) implementation and training.
Attends to students’ personal care needs.
Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
Must demonstrate completion of either 60 academic credits or achievement of passing score on the ParaPro qualifications test with the completion of Teacher Assistant Training program as required by RIGL 16-11.2-2.

Nice To Haves

Prefer three to six months of experience in a school environment providing support to students.
Chauffeur’s license or ability to attain Chauffeur’s license preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintains and adheres to strict confidentiality requirements regarding students, parents and other staff.
Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
Physically able to restrain a student if necessary, using district safety care techniques and standards.
Assists the teacher in modification and implementation of curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Uses age and developmentally appropriate instructional procedures and reinforcement techniques.
Assists children with academic and/or functional skills of previously introduced concepts following teacher instruction and direction.
Instructs small groups of students in specific subject areas with teacher direction.
Follows teacher or other appropriate professional’s directions.
Monitors and supervises students and/or continues lessons during short-term teacher absences.
Prepares and gathers materials and supplies.
Exhibits self-control, good judgment, patience and conducts self in a professional manner at all times in person and in writing .
Under direction of the building principal, supervises students during play periods, lunch periods, detention and/or during student arrival and dismissal both indoors and out of doors.
Maintains order by reinforcing school rules in all settings including recess, lunch and bus.
Provides positive reinforcers as dictated by the Behavioral Intervention Plan.
Participates in Professional Development and completes all training required by the school district.
Receives additional training if deemed necessary for the position, including but not limited to, positions involving students with significant cognitive delay, physical limitations, autism spectrum disorders, social/emotional disorders or behavioral disorders.
Assists the teacher in providing instruction to individuals with behavioral challenges.
Utilizes approved de-escalation strategies and supervises students in a designated de-escalation area with other adults in safe proximity.
Supports students with re-entry following de-escalation time.
Under the direction of appropriate professionals, follows through with IEP goals and supplementary services such as, but not limited to, OT, PT, and Speech/Language.
As instructed by the teacher, records and reports data on student behavior and performance.
May operate and assist students with the use of augmentative communication systems.
Preschool level paraprofessionals participate in developmentally appropriate toileting and feeding practices for students under the teacher’s direction.
Follow through with activities of daily living skills, including feeding, lifting, transferring, toileting and changing.
Additional duties as required to support students in their daily functioning within the learning environment.