Special Education Paraprofessional

Forest Hills Public School District•Grand Rapids, MI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Paraprofessional at Meadow Brook Elementary provides support duties to help deliver an effective academic program and maintain a healthy, safe, and supportive school environment for children with special needs. Under the direct supervision of a classroom teacher, the paraprofessional follows the guidelines in each student’s IEP. Assignments may be one-on-one or in small groups, depending on students’ disabilities and educational settings. The role includes supporting instruction, assisting students with physical and personal-care needs, helping manage behavior, and supervising students in school and community settings. The employee is directly responsible for students’ safety, well-being, and work output. The position is scheduled for seven hours per day, 35 hours per week, five days per week, during the school year. Compensation is Grade 3, Step 1, at $17.51 per hour. Benefits and evaluation are governed by the Administrative Support Staff Agreement.

Requirements

Willingness to complete CPI training.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of students, schools, teachers, and classrooms.
Consistent and reliable attendance.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree.
Experience working in an academic environment.
Experience working with school-age youth.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Excellent organizational, communication, and recordkeeping skills.

Responsibilities

Assist classroom teachers with delivering instructional materials and supporting students’ academic work.
Adapt curriculum and provide parallel activities, assist with communication, read or listen to student responses and record them, supervise academic testing, and correct student work as needed.
Provide physical assistance as necessary, including help with wheelchairs, walkers, other support devices, computers, turning pages, dressing, toileting, hygiene, health care devices, and boarding or leaving buses.
Monitor and avoid unnecessary environmental cues that may distract or disturb students; use calming techniques; assist teachers with behavioral intervention programs; remove students from the room when necessary; and safely restrain students when necessary.
Participate in meetings related to students as needed.
Escort or accompany students around the school and supervise them during lunch and recess.
Assist students with field trips, community-based outings, and vocational job-site settings.
Attend staff meetings and professional learning as requested.
Maintain reliable attendance and perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain the confidentiality of students, schools, teachers, and classrooms.
Complete CPI training.