Special Education Paraprofessional

City Garden Montessori•Oak Creek, WI

10d

About The Position

City Garden is seeking a qualified paraprofessional to support teachers in providing high-quality learning experiences in a welcoming, student-centered environment that fosters relationships and continual growth for students and staff. Under the classroom teacher’s direction, the paraprofessional reinforces instruction, helps execute lesson plans, nurtures and guides students, and safely supervises them during instructional and assessment activities in and outside the classroom. The role also involves working with the learning team and communicating with parents and school officials as needed. The paraprofessional supports classroom instruction through co-teaching lesson components, leading small-group or individual instruction and discussion, and reviewing classwork. They attend to students’ physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs, including translation and hygienic needs when necessary. Additional duties include organizing classroom materials, tracking attendance, performing clerical work, grading assignments and recording results, and building collaborative relationships with students, parents, and staff. City Garden expects employees to take an active role in their professional development and in developing the school as an institution of learning. The paraprofessional participates in evaluations, professional development, collegial activities, scheduled meetings, and professional days, and follows the guidelines and policies in the employee handbook.

Requirements

An associate’s degree, or at least 12 hours of post-secondary education and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) paraprofessional certification.
At least two years of experience working with students.
Prior experience in the role of paraprofessional.
Effective oral, written, and visual communication skills with adults and children.
Understanding of basic principles of childhood development.
Demonstrated success working with a diverse student population.

Nice To Haves

A degree in education, early childhood development, or one of the social sciences.
At least one year of experience working with special needs students.
Flexibility to adapt to changing classroom demands.
Deep commitment to whole-child education, with proven success and outcomes in meeting children’s needs holistically.
Grounding in anti-bias education and antiracist values and principles, and enthusiasm for a school reimagining education through these lenses.
Current First Aid and CPR certification.
Current Missouri DESE Paraprofessional certification.

Responsibilities

Provide instructional reinforcement under the classroom teacher’s direction and help execute lesson plans.
Serve as a positive, nurturing guide for students.
Model professional and ethical standards when interacting with students, parents, staff, and the community, and uphold school rules and standards.
Safely supervise students during instructional and assessment activities in and outside the classroom.
Participate in planning sessions with the learning team and communicate with parents and school officials as needed.
Co-teach lesson components as determined by the teacher; lead small-group or individual instruction and discussion; and review classwork.
Attend to students’ physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs, including translation and hygienic needs when necessary.
Organize classroom and teaching materials and verify and track student attendance.
Perform clerical duties such as data entry, filing, and photocopying; grade tests and homework and record results.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, and staff; participate in parent-teacher and faculty meetings and events.
Participate in regular evaluations, including classroom observations, feedback conferences, and an annual self-evaluation toward yearly goals established with the school principal.
Participate in professional development activities, including school-based activities and conferences or workshops.
Participate in collegial activities such as age-level meetings, curriculum discussion groups, working committees, and mentoring.
Attend scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate.
Read and adhere to guidelines and school policies in the employee handbook.