Special Education Para Educator (BWHS)

Special Education Paraeducator

Supervised by/Reports to: Principal with additional assigned classroom teacher supervision

Job Goals:

• To assist the special education services teacher in providing instructional and support services for maximum student achievement.
• To assist teacher in developing a safe, healthy learning environment.
• To assist teacher in providing small group instruction.
• To assist teacher with preparation and organization of instructional materials.
• To encourage involvement of the families of the students in the special education program.

Qualifications:

1. Associate degree or 48 semester hours from an accredited college or a passing score on the ACT Work Keys Assessment
2. Ability to meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457.
3. Demonstrated success in relevant work experience.
4. Ability and willingness to work in a highly demanding, stressful environment.
5. Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication with students, parents and others.
6. Effective interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on communication and collaboration with a wide variety of people and groups.
7. Ability to identify and solve problems as a productive team member.
8. Ability to carry out verbal and written instructions.
9. Physical strength, agility, dexterity, acuity and mobility to perform job responsibilities.
10. Ability to use technology to communicate, to manage data, and to produce/submit required reports, correspondence, and/or financial information.
11. Ability to follow instructions and accept constructive feedback.
12. Ability to stand, walk, stoop, assist with student toileting and specific hygiene needs.
13. Ability to transfer students, feed students, and provide physical intervention when required.
14. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
15. Ability to work flexible hours as needed to provide adult assistance on special education buses.
16. Ability to be punctual and in regular attendance.
17. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

Performance Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

1. Demonstrates support for the school system and its vision, goals and priorities.
2. Presents lessons or portions of lessons to a student or a group of students, checks accuracy of work and presents additional assignments as directed by the teacher.
3. Helps students to use books, computers, classroom materials and other equipment.
4. Assists teacher in keeping routine records related to attendance, grades, test scores or behavior as assigned.
5. Transfers students in and out of holding or locomotive devices and on and off buses.
6. Assists students with all aspects of toileting, which may include diapering, and lifting on and off the toilet, changing tables and mats.
7. Assists with movement of students with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring and physical intervention).
8. Obtains food from the cafeteria, serves food and feeds student or helps them feed themselves.
9. Assists teachers in maintaining discipline and encouraging acceptable student behavior.
10. Assists in managing student behavior to include crisis intervention when needed including restraining disruptive or physically dangerous students within the guidelines of Managing Crisis Safely (MCS) training.
11. Facilitates students' use of mobility equipment such as leg braces, walkers, mobile standers and tricycles.
12. Assists teachers on field trips by helping students with physical needs, maintaining discipline, and reinforcing learning situations.
13. Assists bus drivers in maintaining discipline and responding to the physical needs of students.
14. Provides adult assistance on special education buses as assigned by the building level principal, assistant principal or Central Office Special Education staff.
15. Assists teachers in directing activities and acts as play leader for assigned groups of students.
16. Performs basic health, first aid, or basic nursing care for special education students as directed or authorized by a school nurse.
17. Supervises a group of students in the temporary absence of the responsible teacher.
18. Implements behavior management plan consistent with teacher implementation instructions.
19. Adjusts or rephrases portions of texts and classroom instruction.
20. Attends IEP meetings, if requested.
21. Maintains appropriate confidentiality regarding school/workplace matters.
22. Performs duties in a courteous and professional manner.
23. Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems and/or opportunities for improvement in areas of responsibility.
24. Works cooperatively and productively with supervisor(s) and other system staff to ensure the system's vision, goals and strategies are implemented and providing all pertinent data to all appropriate personnel within the designated time frame.
25. Engages in professional growth and demonstrates professional ethics and effective leadership.
26. Reports potential problems, unusual events, or work irregularities to appropriate administrative or supervisory personnel.
27. Responds to inquiries, requests, constructive feedback, concerns and/or complaints in a timely and positive manner.
28. Maintains and submits reports, records, and correspondence in a timely and accurate manner.
29. Properly uses and cares for equipment and material resources of the school system and effectively supervises and monitors others in the care, maintenance, and use of tools, equipment, and inventory.
30. Uses effective collaboration skills to work as a productive team member.
31. Transfers with a student to another education setting when requested in accordance with the school system policies governing employee transfers.
32. Adheres to school system rules, administrative procedures, local Board policies, and state, federal, and local regulations.
33. Reports absences and takes leave in accordance with Board policies and procedures.
34. Performs other job-related duties as assigned by Supervisor(s).

Terms of Employment: Nine-month position in accordance with the Board's salary schedule.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the State Department of Education and/or Tuscaloosa County Board of Education policy on evaluation of classified personnel.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed.