SpEd Paraprofessional - Preschool

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional supports preschool students receiving special education services, as well as typically developing preschool students, by carrying out day-to-day instructional and student-support activities under a teacher’s supervision. The paraprofessional supports implementation of the preschool curriculum and helps maintain a positive, safe learning environment. The role assists licensed special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in implementing student goals. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions about students. The position addresses student needs at Academy Endeavour Elementary School. If student or program needs change, the employee may be required to work at another school during the school year. Duties may vary by location and may be modified by the district. The position includes instructional, personal-care, medical-support, behavioral, clerical, and equipment-related duties, as well as required training and collaboration with students, families, teachers, and other staff. The role is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, 7.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, for 182 days per year. Work is generally performed in a classroom and may occasionally include visits to homes, schools, offices, or job sites. The work environment may range from quiet to loud and may involve exposure to fumes, personal or student safety risks, and potentially life-threatening student situations. The position is active and includes physical assistance and, when necessary, student restraint. Compensation is $21.02–$22.07. The position is listed as full-time regular and non-exempt.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current First Aid/CPR certification from the American Heart Association, Red Cross, or equivalent.
Non-Crisis Intervention certification through the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students and adults in a wide variety of settings.
Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications, and ability to use software systems to create, access, enter, retrieve, and manipulate information.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems, and to maintain confidentiality and understand data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently without direct supervision, manage simultaneous demands, set priorities, and demonstrate effective organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, the public, and people from diverse backgrounds and professions.
Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a team setting and strong cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures, district policies and procedures, and overall district functions.
Knowledge of special education, other educational programming, and associated legal requirements as related to assigned students’ needs.
Commitment to students’ education as a primary responsibility; student-centered and relationship-focused approach; and ability to promote a positive climate, culture, and community.
Detail-oriented, energetic, creative, innovative, and flexible; demonstrates strong interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills and effective organizational abilities.
Demonstrate citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other professional learning related to the job, attend OT-PT training, and participate in ongoing training.
Willingness to receive on-the-job training specific to student needs, including vision, hearing, motor, or Braille needs, and to be trained in delegated nursing practices.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 50 pounds; potentially lifting students; climbing stairs, ladders, or stools; and physically restraining students when necessary.
Ability to work scheduled school/work hours and days and, when directed, extended school/work hours or days.

Responsibilities

Report consistently for work as scheduled and perform other duties as assigned.
Attain proficient or higher evaluations on established performance standards and obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
Support the preschool teacher in implementing the curriculum and maintaining a positive, safe learning environment.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in designated learning environments and, under teacher supervision, work with small groups to reinforce material introduced by the teacher.
Work with students individually and in groups; tutor students; support recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks; conduct story time; and accompany students in classroom settings.
Assist students with meals, feeding, lunch clean-up, outerwear, movement between rooms, lavatory use, and other physical tasks, including implementation of communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, and physical IEP goals.
Assist with student medical tasks as assigned, which may include medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, and suctioning; provide initial first aid or emergency care; and clean and disinfect bodily fluids and sanitize equipment and materials.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs and carry out programming using physical therapy support equipment.
Monitor behavior contracts and reward systems and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate and trained to do so.
Assist with non-standardized testing; develop and implement games and teaching aids; and assist students with preparing, producing, and maintaining materials and equipment.
Coordinate completion of assignments or job tasks with classroom teachers or employers and assist students in locating library materials and books.
Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and bus loading, and supervise student use of computer programs.
Attend required meetings, conferences, pre-job training, and ongoing training during the school year.
Serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team concerning assigned students as needed.
Work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
Maintain and update student files; collect assessment and monitoring data; complete daily paperwork; and perform clerical duties, including laminating materials and preparing bulletin boards.
Maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment inventory.
Follow assigned workdays, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position’s responsibilities.