Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional

School District 197; Mendota Heights (MN); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

School District 197 seeks a Special Education Paraprofessional to support students in the Early Learning Center. The role involves assisting with instructional strategies, supervising activities and helping students with diverse needs, under supervision.

Position is 5.5 hours per day, with a wage of $23.92-$25.67 per hour as per the 2025-2027 Paraprofessional Contract, requiring teamwork, safety awareness, and supportive engagement with families.

Qualifications

• Two year degree or Parapro Assessment completion is required.
• PCA training will be provided by the district.
• Teamwork with staff and parents is essential.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and assist with transfers.
• Experience with students with disabilities or behavioral challenges.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher in developing strategies to reinforce skills.
• Support students from diverse backgrounds with intercultural sensitivity.
• Understand students' needs, interests and abilities.
• Guide independent study and remedial work as assigned.
• Assist with large group activities and classroom routines.
• Supervise bathroom, lifting, and bus/building transitions.
• Apply behavior management techniques as directed by the teacher.

Skills

Teamwork

Intercultural competence

Effective communication

Physical stamina

Behavior management

Education

Two year degree or Parapro Assessment

Tools

PCA training provided

Job description

Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional JobID: 6150

• Date Posted: 8/3/2026
• Location: Early Learning Center

We strongly believe that diversity of experience contributes to a broader collective perspective that will consistently lead to a better school system and better results for all students. We are working hard to increase the diversity of our team wherever we can and we actively encourage all to consider becoming a part of it.

Position

Special Education Paraprofessional

Location

Early Learning Center

Hours

5.5 hours per day

Line of Authority

Responsible to the supervising teacher

Primary Function

To assist student with the instructional process in special education and/or regular education classrooms.

Wage

$23.92- $25.67/hr per the 2025-2027 Paraprofessional Contract

Qualifications

• Must have a two year degreeor passedThe Parapro Assessment.
• PCA training will be provided
• Ability to work as a team member with staff and parentss.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs. (and/or up to adult-size body weight with two- to three-person lift).
• Ability to support student's full body weight up to adult size.
• Ability to tolerate frequent bending and lifting.
• Ability to work with behaviorally challenging students including those who may be physically and verbally aggressive, effective communication skills.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities, austim, emotional challenges, behavior challenges & trauma.

Job Duties

• Assisting the teacher/s in devising strategies for reinforcing skills based on sympathetic.
• Intercultural competence, including the ability to effectively support students from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
• Understanding of students' needs, interests and abilities.
• Guiding independent study, enrichment work and remedial work set up and assigned by the teachers.
• Assisting with large group activities such as drill work, reading aloud, storytelling and field trips.
• Assisting and supervising student's wash-up and toilet routines including lifting and transferring student.
• Assisting and supervising student to/from bus and in the building as needed.
• Carrying out behavior management techniques necessary to maintain classroom order as instructed by the teacher/s.
• Completion of clerical tasks related to students to whom assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

It is the policy, practice, and commitment of District 197 to provide equal employment opportunities for all people without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance, veteran status, or sexual orientation.