Primary and Elementary Paraprofessionals

SUMMARY:  Assists the teacher in a variety of ways to implement the instructional program, including working directly with students in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.  To establish effective rapport with students assigned to the classroom, to motivate pupils to develop attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good educational foundation in accordance with each student’s ability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  Other duties may be assigned.

• Assists teacher as needed with planning, preparation, and distribution of class materials.
• Assists teacher with student needs and other learning activities.
• Maintains regular attendance.
• Complies with State law and District policies and regulations.  
• Maintains a safe environment for students, conducive to learning.
• Assists teacher in maintaining discipline and other functions.
• May escort students to and from various rooms.
• Provides individualized and small group instruction to reinforce skills that have been taught by the teacher.
• Ability to implement lessons based on district and school standards and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.
• Attend district workshops as directed.
• Accumulate the required paraprofessional hours each year.
• Maintain confidentiality, unquestionable integrity.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist the teacher in the supervision of children in the classroom and on field trips.

Personnel with a substitute certificate may supervise students if the teacher leaves the room. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Paraprofessional Exam, Substitute certificate, or 60 hours of college credit
• Prefer prior experience working with children

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Substitute certificate preferred

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, students, staff, and the general public consistent with the duties of this position.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure consistent with the duties of this position. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret graphs.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form consistent with the duties of this position.

TECHNOLOGY:

• Competent with computer skills, including web browsing, email, word processing, and the Google platform. 
• Must have the ability to learn and utilize new software programs as systems are upgraded.
• Utilize smart boards, projectors, copy machines, faxes, and other technology provided by the district.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work with children who have learning needs and ability to work with other adults.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups of students to support academics and behavior management.
• Must have patience working with children.
• Ability to learn new skills, flexibility, and willingness to perform a variety of tasks.
• Works well with others, follows written and oral directions, and completes assignments given.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents, staff members, other departments, and contacts outside of the District.
• Is self-directed and works without direct supervision.
• Ability to accurately perform assigned tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand and sit.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.  The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in this environment is usually moderate to loud, depending on the activities of the day.  Duties are performed indoors and occasionally outdoors.

The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.