Special Education Paraprofessional (1:1 Aide)

Athens Area Schools•Athens, MI

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Paraprofessional (1:1 Aide) at Athens High School will work under the direction of the Building Principal and in collaboration with the classroom teacher. This role involves assisting students in meeting their educational goals, implementing behavioral intervention plans, and supporting classroom activities. The position requires a background in working with young children and the ability to maintain student behavior through approved interventions. The paraprofessional will also assist with instructional materials, lead small group activities, and supervise students during non-classroom times. Understanding and addressing the medical needs of students, maintaining documentation, and adhering to board policies are also key responsibilities. This role is effective starting August 2026 and will remain open until filled.

Requirements

Must have passed the ETS Parapro Assessment or hold the equivalent of an Associate’s Degree from an accredited university.
Background knowledge of working with young children.
Knowledge of academic, social, and behavioral characteristics of elementary level students.
Knowledge of behavior management and behavior shaping strategies, techniques and methods, and conflict resolution procedures.
Knowledge of socio-economic and cultural background differences of the school population.
Ability to plan, organize, develop, and conduct a comprehensive teaching and instruction program for students at the elementary level.
Ability to implement appropriate and effective learning experiences provided by the classroom teacher for students from a wide range of socio-economic levels and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to assist in providing a motivating and stimulating learning environment.
Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions.
Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community.
Ability to be able to meet multiple demands from several people.
Ability to be a team player and be willing to work well with others.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondences, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, students, parents, and other personnel as appropriate.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program.
Ability to plan and implement lessons based on school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.
Must have essential technology skills, i.e. skilled at PC computer, laptop, and other educational technology.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents, and other community members.
Must possess the ability to speak clearly and concisely in written and oral communication.
Must be able to meet multiple demands from several people.
Must be organized and meet timeline requirements.
Regularly climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk/hear.
Continuously standing, walking, and occasionally running.
Frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk, squat, reach above the ear or reach forward and repeat the same gross and hand fine motion more than the average person.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required include close and distance vision.
Work indoors or outdoors and occasionally in temperatures above or below 95 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person.
Directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.
Regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear.
Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and stoop, kneel.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a similar role preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist the classroom teacher with implementation of classroom activities and lesson plans, including behavioral intervention plans.
Attend weekly staff and team meetings and other meetings as appropriate and requested.
Assist in planning and implementation of educational activities.
Maintain student behavior through appropriate and approved interventions and approved techniques.
Assist students in meeting educational goals while providing appropriate academic interventions as directed by the classroom teacher.
Assist in the preparation of instructional materials for teaching and for display in the classroom.
Independently lead small group activities.
Assist instructional staff in the supervision of students during lunch and recess times.
Understand and be aware of medical needs of students; following medical protocol under the supervision of a nurse as appropriate.
Maintain documentation of student progress relative to student academic and nonacademic goals and objectives.
Maintain confidentiality, including not interfering with teacher-parent communication.
Adhere to all board policies.
Supervise students when the teacher is not present.