The Student Support Paraprofessional assists teachers in providing support for students who have social-emotional/behavioral needs during instructional and non-instructional activities, in order to ensure personal, social, and academic success and a safe learning environment for all students.

A Day in the Life

• Re-teaches and helps students review social-emotional lessons and/or instruction from other academic areas as needed.
• Utilizes positive behavior supports to assist in the prevention of and response to acute student behaviors.
• Utilizes appropriate strategies to assist in de-escalating student behaviors as needed.
• Utilizes Emergency Safety Interventions (seclusion and/or restraints) if there is an immediate danger of physical harm to a student or adult.
• Assists substitute teachers with classroom arrangement, procedures, and routines in the absence of the regular classroom teacher.
• Administers appropriate assessments for the purpose of evaluating students’ progress.
• Provides one-on-one and/or small-group support to students, at least 70% of the work day.
• Assists in preparing materials for students as requested by supervisors.
• Grades student work for the purpose of assessing students’ progress.
• Assists with the continuation of learning during times when the teacher is unavailable, providing appropriate support and instructional guidance.  (This position is not licenses so para cannot serve as teacher.)
• Supervises groups of students during non-instructional times in order to ensure their safety.
• Maintains confidentiality as appropriate in order to comply with district, state and federal laws.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the safe, effective, and efficient functioning of the school.

Other Functions

• Assists with supervision of students during emergency drills in order to ensure student safety.
• Participates in professional development activities in order to be competent when supporting students.
• Assists with special projects as requested by the classroom teacher and/or Supervisor.

Profile of a Successful Candidate

• Patience to work with a diverse group of students.
• Ability to understand and follow directions/requests.
• Basic technology skills.
• Basic academic skills.

Education, Certification

• High school diploma
• Passing score on ParaPro Assessment OR 48 successful completion of college credits

Experience

• Previous work with children recommended.

Physical Demands, Working Environment

• Generally the job requires 40% sitting, 30% standing, 15% walking, and 5% kneeling, stooping, crouching, lifting, and carrying.
• Exposed to a variety of weather conditions while supervising recess.

Attendance Requirements

• Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance/punctuality as required.