Special Education Para-Educator

Walla Walla Public Schools•Walla Walla, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for assisting certificated staff by performing instructional support tasks related to the students' educational development within the total school environment and by being a positive role model for students. The role involves providing instructional support for special needs students on an IEP, attending to their program needs including academic, social, and personal goals. It also includes providing support and structure for students needing to develop behavior and social skills, assisting students in developing functional skills leading to independence, and implementing and reinforcing social skills training programs. The para-educator will assist certificated staff with required record-keeping, development of materials, and preparation of teaching aids. They will learn instructional techniques under the direction of a teacher and independently carry out instructional programs developed by the supervising teacher. Collaboration with classroom teachers, assisting in assessing students, and performing routine tasks in monitoring and assisting student progress in the classroom and other school activities are also key components. Promoting a positive culture when communicating with the schoolwide staff is essential. Other functions may include performing routine classroom and building clerical tasks, serving on district committees and/or departmental work teams, and performing related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED.
AA Degree, 72 college level credits, or ability to pass the Federal Para-Educator test.
Experience working with students in an educational setting and/or evidence of an interest in supporting learning experiences.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the district.
Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents – including phone and email communication.
Possess the desire to be a role model for students and to interact positively with students.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the public.
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 Walla Walla Public Schools Risk Management and Bloodborne Pathogens Training upon hire.
Required to attend training for de-escalation procedures.
May require a CPR/First Aid card depending on job assignment.

Responsibilities

Provide instructional support for special needs students on an IEP by attending to the program needs including academic, social, and personal goals.
Provide support and structure for students needing to develop behavior and social skills.
Assist students in developing functional skills leading to independence.
Implement and reinforce social skills training programs.
Assist certificated staff with required record-keeping, development of materials and preparation of teaching aids.
Learn instructional techniques under the direction of a teacher and independently carry out instructional programs developed by the supervising teacher.
Collaboratively work with classroom teachers.
Assist in assessing students.
Perform routine tasks in monitoring and assisting student progress in the classroom and other school activities.
Promote a positive culture when communicating with the schoolwide staff.
Perform routine classroom and building clerical tasks as needed.
May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams.
Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.