Paraprofessional - SPED

Joplin R 8 School District • Joplin, MO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The job of the paraprofessional is to support the teacher-classroom in the development, implementation and monitoring of a program designed to enhance the success of students academically and behaviorally. This role involves supporting the mission and values of Joplin Schools, enforcing policies and regulations, and ensuring student safety and well-being. The paraprofessional will maintain professional relationships, communicate effectively, and provide excellent customer service. They will also comply with privacy rights, react productively to change, participate in professional development, and conduct business professionally using district technology. Accurate record-keeping and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to interpret documents and apply them to job duties. The paraprofessional will implement instructional strategies, reinforce learning, and ensure all student needs (educational, behavioral, and physical) are met. This includes preparing for classroom instruction, grading, copying, taking roll, implementing teaching techniques, and behavior management strategies. The role also involves responding to student needs, removing barriers to learning, and carrying out assigned duties.

Requirements

• Obtain 60 college credit hours, or Have passed the ParaPro Assessment (before September 23, 2013) or Have passed the Paraprofessional Assessment through Pearson (September 23, 2013 through June 20, 2024) or Have passed the ParaPro Assessment through ETS (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026) or Have passed the ParaPathways Assessment through ETS (July 1, 2026 forward)
• Completed the 20HR Substitute Certificate Course
• Supports the mission of Joplin Schools.
• Supports the value of education.
• Become familiar with, enforce, and follow all applicable Board policies and regulations, administrative procedures, other directions given by district administrators and supervisors, and state and federal laws.
• Obey all safety rules, including rules protecting the safety and welfare of students.
• Use close, distance and peripheral vision as well as depth perception.

Responsibilities

• Support the teacher-classroom in the development, implementation and monitoring of a program designed to enhance the success of students academically and behaviorally.
• Properly supervise students at all times, if applicable to essential job functions.
• Care for, properly use, and protect school property.
• Maintain courteous and professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, other district employees and the public.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, department staff, all members of the school district, and community as required.
• Provides excellence in customer service both internally and externally.
• Complies with privacy rights and safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information pertaining to staff and students.
• Reacts to change productively and receive and transmit constructive criticism as it relates to job duties.
• Actively participate in professional development and obtain skills and information necessary to effectively perform job duties.
• Conduct all official business in a professional and timely manner, utilizing district technology resources.
• Arrive to work and leave work at the time specified by supervisors and attend all required meetings pertinent to the position.
• Maintains accurate records and filing systems for accountability and audit purposes as required by law and Board policy.
• Solve practical problems utilizing math functions as needed to complete job duties.
• Read and interpret documents such as work orders, safety rules, and handbooks and apply to job duties.
• Demonstration of the communication and collaborative skills necessary for the teaching assistant to act as a member of an effective educational team.
• Implementation of instructional strategies developed for students.
• Perform duties designed to support skills being learned.
• Under the direction of the teacher, reinforce or reteach skills previously learned.
• Provide the support needed to assure that all needs of students are met: educational, behavioral, and physical.
• Prepare for classroom instruction, including such activities as grading, copying, and taking roll as directed.
• Implement, under the direction of the teacher a variety of effective teaching techniques in order to meet the individualized needs of students.
• Implement preventative behavior strategies and interventions.
• Teach behavior related skills to individuals and small groups.
• Provide for individual differences.
• Model behavior interventions and classroom management strategies for teachers.
• Respond to student needs removing barriers to learning.
• Effectively implement the modification and accommodation of classroom.
• Carry out all other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree