Paraprofessional (Special Education)

Bath Community Schools•Bath, MI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Bath Middle School is seeking a special education paraprofessional to support students with disabilities in classroom and school settings. Paraprofessionals collaborate with special education teachers and general education staff to deliver instruction, implement student IEPs and behavior plans, and help students participate as fully as possible in the life of the school. This is direct, relationship-centered work with a small number of students over the course of a year. The paraprofessional is supervised and evaluated by the building principal. Instructional and programmatic direction, including how IEP goals, accommodations, and behavior plans are implemented, is provided by the assigned special education teacher, with whom the paraprofessional works as a collaborative member of the student's educational team.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Successful criminal history check and unprofessional conduct check as required by MCL 380.1230 and 380.1230a.
Ability to complete and maintain district-required training, including physical management/de-escalation certification, CPR/first aid, and bloodborne pathogens training.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions, including IEPs, behavior plans, and health care plans, and to exercise sound judgment in applying them to varied situations.
Ability to reinforce instruction in core academic content at the middle school level, including reading, writing, and mathematics.
Ability to maintain composure and respond calmly and consistently during behavioral escalation or crisis.
Ability to build respectful, supportive relationships with students with a range of disabilities and support needs.
Ability to communicate clearly with students, staff, families, and administrators.
Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative instructional team.
Ability to perform duties consistent with district requirements and Board of Education policy.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree or 60 credit hours preferred
Prior experience supporting students with disabilities in a school setting.
Coursework or training in special education, child development, psychology, or a related field.
Associate's degree or higher, or completion of postsecondary coursework.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with special education and general education teachers to provide individual and small-group instructional support consistent with student IEPs and teacher-developed lesson plans.
Implements accommodations, modifications, and behavior intervention plans as designed by the educational team, and collects and records student progress data.
Supports student behavior using positive behavior supports and district-approved intervention techniques; responds to behavioral escalation consistent with district training and board policy.
Assists students with mobility, positioning, transfers, and use of adaptive equipment.
Provides personal care as required by student need, which may include assistance with toileting, feeding, dressing, and hygiene.
Supervises assigned students in classroom, hallway, cafeteria, playground, and arrival/dismissal settings, and during off-site instruction as assigned.
Participates in physical, recreational, and community-based activities that are part of students' educational programs.
Assists with classroom preparation, materials, and routine operation.
Maintains strict confidentiality of student records and information consistent with FERPA and district policy.
Shares student observations and data with the special education teacher and educational team, and participates in IEP or team meetings as requested.
Attends required training, staff meetings, and building events consistent with the collective bargaining agreement.
Performs other duties as assigned by the building principal.