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.