Substitute Paraprofessional - MS

South Fayette Township School District•McDonald, PA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves assisting children in developing self-sufficiency, communication, interpersonal, mobility, and behavioral skills. The role encourages, supports, and educates students by aiding them in daily living activities essential for their comfort, well-being, and integrity. A key goal is to promote independence to the maximum extent possible, ensuring success based on individual student needs and disabilities. The Substitute Paraprofessional will assist regular and special education teachers in all aspects of the educational program to maximize student participation and success in the least restrictive environment. This includes helping students with learning, behavioral, emotional, and/or social difficulties. Maintaining student safety at all times is a critical function, as students may lack awareness of basic safety regulations.

Requirements

Two or Four Year Degree (preference to the field of education)
Current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Experience working with children with disabilities
Ability to work cooperatively with many individuals
Ability to communicate with adults and children effectively
Dependable and mature in demeanor
Excellent writing skills
Ability to take notes
Ability to learn about specific characteristics, interventions, and strategies related to varying disabilities/atypical syndromes
Strong commitment to the goals, mission, and philosophy of the school district
Expresses a strong desire and enthusiasm to make a difference in a students’ lives
Experience in behavior strategies in working with children/youth

Responsibilities

Support students in the areas of academics, social, emotional and functional skills.
Facilitate and model appropriate social interaction throughout the entire school day.
Supervise students and manage student behaviors using basic management techniques throughout the entire school day. These techniques include redirection, modeling, positive and negative reinforcement, shaping and direct hand-over-hand assistance.
Deliver independent learning activities in various academic areas, as well as “specials” areas, as assigned.
Accompany students to various settings throughout the school and district community, including field trips and special functions.
Provide students with re-direction, organization, coping strategies and other specially designed instruction as specified in their IEPs.
Support the medical needs of assigned student(s) as necessary in order to increase their independence and to increase the student’s ability to access their education.
Follow medical crisis plans as necessary for students with medical needs.
Assist student(s) with functional activities such as: Buying a lunch, Delivering notes from home, Packing and unpacking items from back pack, Manipulating fasteners, Removing and putting on outer wear, Hanging up items in the closet, Organizing items in desk, Getting out needed supplies such as pencils, crayons, glue as appropriate, Unpacking lunch box, Opening food containers, Cleaning up and gathering items after lunch, Prompting student to wash hands, wipe nose, wipe face, etc.
Assist in maintaining communication between home and school when appropriate with the classroom teacher and/or administration.
Monitor students’ progress on IEP goals as outlined by special education staff.
Assist teachers with reporting data regarding student progress on IEP goals/objectives and/or Individual Student Positive Behavior Support Plan.
Communicate with special education teacher(s) regarding the progress of special education students across settings.
Participate in parent-teacher conferences and Individualized Education Plan meetings when requested.
Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and maintain certification.
Work as a team player with teachers in classrooms and with administration in the buildings.
Display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment, work closely with other departments/programs as necessary and display professional team spirit.
Perform a wide variety of tasks and be able to change focus quickly as situations change and manage these transitions and tasks effectively.
Write effectively to complete daily/weekly/monthly online Medical Assistance (MA) forms regarding children/youth that you are assigned responsibilities.
Acquire, if needed based on 2 year/4 year degree, the PDE Credential of Paraeducator Competency during the first two years of employment at South Fayette Township School District.
Participate in professional development to acquire the needed 20 hours annually to retain the “high qualified paraeducator status.”
May be asked to perform other job-related responsibilities as designated by the special education teacher, regular education teacher, building principals, and/or the Director of Pupil Personnel.