Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional

Sylvania; Whitmore Lake (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Retirement plan options

Full family health coverage

Health insurance opt-out

Childcare discount

Professional development

Supportive school culture

Job summary

Whitmore Lake Public Schools is seeking a dedicated paraprofessional for the Whitmore Lake Elementary School, supporting students in both general and special education settings. This role requires a proactive, team-oriented individual comfortable in active environments and with heavy data collection to support student progress.

The position entails assisting teachers, supervising various activities, and helping implement IEPs across related services, with a strong emphasis on safety,

Qualifications

• Associates degree, 60 college credits, or MTTC Basic Skills/ETS test to demonstrate Highly Qualified status.
• Must implement strategies fostering independence in gen ed and self-contained settings.
• Ability to collect data and follow behavior plans for students with autism and behavioral needs.
• Use CPI techniques and other behavior strategies.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers and staff with preparing materials and maintaining a safe learning environment.
• Support integration of students with exceptional learning needs in general education settings.
• Implement and monitor IEP goals across related service areas (PT/OT/Speech, augmentative devices, Social Work).
• Instruct and manage students using positive behavior supports per district policy.
• Attend to health needs and assist with self-care tasks as required.
• Participate in professional development and maintain certifications.

Skills

Data collection

IEP monitoring

CPI techniques

Behavior support

Team collaboration

Education

Associate's degree or 60 credits

Job description

WHO WE ARE:

Whitmore Lake Public Schools serves approximately 800 students in preschool-12th grade and their families in Whitmore Lake and the surrounding area. Whitmore Lake Preschool and Kids Club programs are programs of the Early Childhood Center, and the elementary school, located at the Whitmore Lake Elementary School. We are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized education to all. At the heart of all we do is our tight-knit Trojan community including our students, their families and our staff. We work hard and take pride in making every day a great day to be a Trojan. #TrojanPride

SALARY and FTE:

Per the paraprofessional contract: Step 1 at $18.76 per hour

School Year Schedule

Full-time: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (40 hours per week)

WORK LOCATION:

Whitmore Lake Elementary School

1077 Barker Rd.

Whitmore Lake, MI 48189

WHAT WE NEED:

We're looking for a hardworking, self-starter who’s ready to be a positive contributor to our tight-knit Preschool community. This role requires someone who is comfortable with loud environments and physical activity.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Associate's degree, or 60 hours of college credits, or passing MTTC Basic Skills/ETS test to demonstrate Highly Qualified status


• Must be able to implement strategies that foster student independence in the general education and self-contained special education settings.


• Must be able to collect data and follow behavior plan information to support students with autism and other behavioral needs


• Must be able to use \"Non-Violent Crisis Intervention\" CPI techniques and other behavior strategies.


• Understands how exceptional conditions can interact with the domains of human development and uses this knowledge to respond to the varying abilities of individuals with exceptional learning needs.


• Creates a positive, engaging classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriately responds to the maturity level and interest of the students.


• Works as a team member to solve problems, develop and implement quality programming.


• Participates in special instructional activities, including recess, cafeteria, and elective class supervision, to meet program and student goals


• Assists teachers and support staff in preparing materials and maintaining a safe and clean learning environment


• Assists general education colleagues with the integration of individuals with exceptional learning needs in general education environments and engages them in meaningful learning activities and interactions.


• Assists in implementing and monitoring IEP through group and individual instruction; including demonstrable skills in following IEP goals to specific related service areas (PT, OT, Speech, augmentative devices, and Social Work).


• Integrates support service activities, such as communication, into the program's curriculum and the school day.


• Manages and instructs students on appropriate behavior, using positive behavior support strategies consistent with Board policy and the student's behavior plan, if applicable.


• Monitors and documents health needs and implements specialized care programs under the direction of professional staff, if needed.


• Assists with self-care, eating/feeding, dressing, toileting, walking, as well as medical intervention if necessary.


• Participates in professional development, maintains appropriate certification and qualifications and keeps current in changing pedagogy.


• Participates in district and school initiatives, adheres to building and district school improvement plans.


• Acts as a public relations agent for the success and image of the district.


• Communicates effectively and objectively with students, parents, and administration in advocacy of student growth.


• Provides assistance to the operation of the total school program.


• Adheres to district and school rules and procedures.


• Conducts behavior to demonstrate collegiality and professionalism.


• Regular, predictable attendance


• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered. 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 the essential functions.

WHAT WE PROVIDE:

• Competitive salary structure


• Customized retirement plan options


• Excellent compensation package including up to full-family health coverage with long-term disability, medical, dental, vision and life insurance


• Health Insurance Opt-Out Cash Bonus


• Childcare tuition discount


• Professional development, career growth, and promotion opportunities


• Small school with a positive school culture built on support and collaboration

Whitmore Lake Public Schools, 8845 Main Street, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189 does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical handicap, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, political belief or age in admission, treatment or participation in its programs, services and activities or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact the Superintendent's Office, 8845 Main St., Whitmore Lake, MI 734-449-4461