Paraprofessional - ESI

Portage Public Schools•Portage, MI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of a teacher, the Paraprofessional provides instructional and non-instructional support to special education students in the least restrictive environment within the school setting. The role may include serving as a liaison between special and regular education teachers, supporting teacher reports with additional information at IEP meetings and conferences, and working with different students as assigned. The position is at Portage North Middle School and is scheduled for 7.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at $18 per hour. The work includes assisting with instruction and student activities, supporting students’ independence and daily living skills, supervising students during instructional and non-instructional periods and activities, recording and reporting student information, and assisting with personal care, mobility, and medical needs. The position also requires regular and consistent attendance and compliance with Portage Public Schools Employee Handbook policies and procedures. Duties listed are representative and not all-inclusive.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Equivalent of two years of college (60 semester credits), an associate degree or higher, or successful completion of the MDE-approved Paraprofessional standards test (ETS).
Experience working with children.
Demonstrated interpersonal communication abilities.
Patience and willingness and ability to learn new skills and take direction.

Responsibilities

Assist the teacher during lessons, including completing assignment instructions.
Work with individual students or small groups on follow-up activities and reinforce instruction through drill activities.
Record data on student performance and observe and chart student behavior.
Administer and score standardized, criterion-referenced, or teacher-made tests.
Assist students with outer clothing, lifting and positioning, diapering, opening food and drink containers, lunch-line routines, feeding, seating, and schedules.
Supervise students during playground activities, offsite activities, independent wheelchair or walker travel, and non-instructional periods.
Assist with students’ medical needs, which may include catheterizing and removing or attaching splints, casts, or braces.
Accompany students in the pool.
Offer assistance with behavior modification principles and help implement behavior management programs; physically restrain students as needed.
Help students develop independence in daily living skills.
Fill out, distribute, and/or collect checklists.
Assist with preparation for gym, lunch, bus, bathroom breaks, and other activities, and transfer students to and from the bus.
Provide information to support teacher reports at IEP meetings and conferences, and may serve as a liaison between special and regular education teachers.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular and consistent attendance and comply with policies and procedures in the Portage Public Schools Employee Handbook.