SpEd Paraprofessional - Resource

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

2d•$19 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional performs day-to-day instructional and student-support activities for special education students under a teacher’s supervision. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. The position supports current student needs at Discovery Canyon Campus Elementary School; if needs change, the employee may be required to move to another school during the school year. The role may be filled by an individual who is or is not licensed. The paraprofessional implements teacher-designated lessons and instructional programs, assists students individually and in groups, supports classroom and curriculum activities, monitors student behavior and safety, collects assessment data, and completes related records and clerical tasks. The position also includes personal care and mobility assistance, first aid and emergency support, and carrying out delegated nursing practices after training. The employee must obtain and maintain certifications needed to support students with special needs and attend required training and meetings. The work takes place primarily independently and with others in a professional school environment, indoors regularly and outdoors occasionally. Noise may range from quiet to loud. The employee works scheduled school hours and may be directed to work extended hours or days. This active role requires frequent movement between locations as student needs require.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and interact effectively with students and adults in varied settings.
Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications, and ability to use software systems to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems; understanding of data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality, manage simultaneous demands, and set clear priorities.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively and establish effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and professions.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures, district policies and functions, and special education, educational programming, and applicable legal requirements related to assigned students.
Strong organizational, time-management, interpersonal, written, listening, verbal communication, cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills; detail-oriented.
Commitment to students’ education, a student-centered and relationship-focused approach, and the ability to promote a positive climate and community.
Ability to work assigned days, hours, locations, and duties, and adapt to changing technologies and learn new equipment and systems.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other job-related professional learning, participate in ongoing training, and be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 50 pounds; lifting students as needed; climbing stairs, ladders, or stools; and physically restraining students when necessary.

Responsibilities

Carry out instructional programs and lessons in learning environments designated in lesson plans.
Coordinate assignment completion with regular classroom teachers and assist students with teacher-directed activities.
Work with small groups to reinforce material introduced by the teacher and provide individual tutoring, including in computer skills and usage.
Assist students with recitation, reading, curriculum tasks, and finding books and materials in the library.
Monitor behavior contracts and reward systems, help resolve disciplinary issues, remove disruptive or defiant children, and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate after training.
Collect data for assessment and monitoring purposes and assist with non-standardized testing.
Maintain, order, and organize materials and inventory; prepare, produce, assemble, and maintain materials and equipment as assigned; laminate materials as needed.
Complete daily paperwork, records, and miscellaneous clerical duties.
Provide initial first aid and emergency care and assist students with personal needs, including dispensing medication and delegated nursing practices after training.
Assist students with physical tasks such as dressing, moving between rooms, using the lavatory, and wheelchair maneuvering and securing.
Accompany assigned students to the office or school nurse and provide support in classroom settings.
Supervise students during bus loading and unloading, recess, hall duty, passing periods, and computer use.
Conduct story time and assist teachers and staff with locating or preparing classroom materials.
Serve as a resource person to the student personnel evaluation team concerning an assigned student.
Attend required meetings, conferences, pre-job training, ongoing training, and professional learning.
Report consistently for scheduled work, attain proficient or higher performance evaluations, and perform other duties as assigned.