Special Education Para Educator

Waverly Community Schools • Lansing, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Waverly Community Schools is hiring a Special Education Para Educator at the high school, with an immediate start. The role supports students’ academic, behavioral, vocational, transitional, medical, adaptive daily living, and self-care needs under the direction of a certified teacher. The para educator participates in planning and evaluating strategies and goals, assists with instruction and learning materials, and supports students in school and community-based activities, including pool activities under WSI supervision. The position also involves supervision, student transportation assistance, record keeping, communication with staff and parents, and maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment. Regular, punctual, in-person attendance is an essential function. Employment terms follow the WESPA 2026–27 Work Calendar and the salary schedule in the WESPA Master Agreement; the posted hourly range is $20.55–$23.22.

Requirements

• Minimum of a high school diploma.
• Prior experience working with students, school personnel, and parents.
• CPI certification or willingness to obtain it.
• Strong communication skills.
• Knowledge of PBIS and MTSS.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of district requirements and Board of Education policies.
• Ability to demonstrate respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring when interacting with staff, students, and community members.
• Ability to meet the stated physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating strategies for individual and group behavioral management, academic goals, and transition goals.
• Participate in building activities, meetings, conferences, IEPs, swimming or pool activities, lunch, and community-based instruction or activities as determined by building administration or the assigned certified teacher.
• Assist with instruction, selection and preparation of materials, and establishment of reward systems as determined by the certified teacher.
• Assist with loading and unloading buses and, when necessary, transport small numbers of students to activities in school vehicles in accordance with board policy.
• Inform the certified teacher of specific student needs or concerns and follow related service providers’ suggestions as directed by the teacher.
• Assist with students’ medical, adaptive daily living, and self-care needs, including eating, hygiene, toileting, and diapering.
• Lift and transfer students as needed.
• Prepare students for pool activities and assist students in the pool under WSI supervision.
• Assist with behavioral, academic, and vocational interventions as needed.
• Perform record-keeping and organizational tasks as appropriate.
• Interact professionally and cooperatively with coworkers, administration, students, parents, and the community; serve as a positive role model.
• Help arrange and manage the physical setting to support learning.
• Assist with before- and after-school activities, lunch, recess, and bus loading and unloading supervision to ensure student safety.
• Communicate effectively with staff and parents.
• Maintain regular, punctual, in-person attendance and perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED