Early Childhood SPED Paraprofessional - Classroom Support Hero

South Washington County Schools; Town of Cottage Grove (WI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Supplemental life insurance

Dependent life insurance

Long-term disability

Voluntary plans (accident)

Critical illness coverage

Hospital indemnity

Identity protection

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Retirement plans

Job summary

South Washington County Schools is seeking an ECSE Paraprofessional to provide instructional and behavioral support to students with disabilities under the direction of a licensed teacher. This district-wide float position covers multiple classrooms and requires collaboration and adaptability.

The role includes assisting with academic activities, implementing district policies, maintaining confidentiality, and collecting student data.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to meet District 833's Highly Qualified requirements.
• Competencies as required by State of Minnesota, Federal government, and/or District 833.
• Reinforce math, reading, and writing in early childhood.
• Teamwork, confidentiality, and communication skills.
• Models appropriate behavior and neat appearance.
• Self-directed and able to organize activities with provided resources.
• Participates in district training when offered.
• Ability to perform basic computer tasks (email, Internet, Microsoft Word).
• Ability to pass paraprofessional fitness for duty tests.
• Ability to lift and transfer up to 50 pounds.
• Prompt, regular attendance.
• Positive, respectful communication with students, families and staff.
• Appreciation of diversity in all interactions.

Responsibilities

• Consult daily with licensed special education teacher regarding daily responsibilities.
• Assist teacher in implementing district policies, confidentiality and classroom management as directed.
• Assist students in reading, writing, and math under teacher direction.
• Work with students with learning challenges and behavioral issues.
• Assist with toileting and personal care tasks.
• Support behavioral management techniques and monitor behavior.
• Accept work direction and shifting assignments as needed.
• Collect and record student data per teacher directions.
• Provide services with respect for the roles of teacher and paraprofessional.
• Maintain boundaries and confidentiality with students, families, and staff.
• Promote fairness, respect, and equity for all students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Ability to meet District 833's Highly Qualified requirements

Competencies as required by State of Minnesota, Federal government, and/or District 833

Reinforce math, reading, and writing in early childhood

Teamwork, confidentiality, and communication

Positive behavior support and professional appearance

Self-directed and able to organize small group activities

District-sponsored training participation

Microsoft Word and basic computer use

Fitness for duty and lifting up to 50 pounds

Prompt, reliable attendance

Respectful communication with students and families

Job description

Position Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) ParaprofessionalLocation District Wide Float Hours per Day

Start and End Times 6 hours per day

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. AND 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Starting Base Pay $22.70 per hour Anticipated Start Date September 2, 2026Available for Application August 11, 2026 - Augst 16, 2026 or until filledHighly Qualified InformationThis position is eligible for an additional $.50 per hour once Highly Qualified status is achieved (2 or 4 year degree, OR 60 semester credits OR successful completion of the Para Pro which is offered by the district regularly). External candidates DO NOT need to meet this criteria until after they are hired but are required to meet the requirement no later than March 1st.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES MUST MEET THIS CRITERIA AT THE TIME THEIR APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED.Classification Program

BENEFITS:

SoWashCo Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to support our employees. Our benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life insurance, supplemental life insurance, dependent life insurance, and long-term disability coverage. We also offer voluntary plans such as accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and identity protection, along with flexible spending accounts, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and retirement plans. These benefits reflect our commitment to supporting your health and well-being.

Visit our benefits page for more detailed information.

Position follows school calendar with the option to work in other summer paraprofessional positions if interested.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for providing instructional and/or behavioral support to special education students with disabilities under the direction of a licensed special education teacher.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Consult daily with licensed special education teacher regarding daily responsibilities.
• Assist special education teacher in implementing district policies and procedures, including but not limited to emergency procedures, building orientation, confidentiality, student vulnerability, data collection, and classroom management as directed.
• Assist special education students in academic areas such as reading, writing or math. This includes implementing curriculum, adapting instructional strategies and materials according to the needs of the student under the direction of a licensed teacher.
• Work with students that may have learning challenges, behavioral issues, and/or need physical support.
• Assist with toileting and other personal care issues.
• Support licensed teacher in utilizing a variety of behavioral management techniques, including redirection and restraints if necessary, throughout the day. Supervise students during cooling off time, monitor and document behavior, and implement positive behavior support.
• Accept work direction willingly, shift work assignments and accept changing and new job assignments as needed.
• Collect and record student data adhering to the licensed teacher's directions and requirements. Communicates this information to licensed teacher(s) and other staff connected to that student as identified by the teacher.
• Provide services to student as directed by licensed teacher in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of, and a positive respect for, the distinctions between the roles and responsibilities of the teacher, paraprofessional and other staff.
• Understand and maintain boundaries and confidentiality with students, families, and staff.
• Maintain a high level of fairness, confidentiality, respect and equity for all students, staff and families.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

JOB SPECIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, LICENSE, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES):

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to meet District 833's Highly Qualified requirements.
• Competencies as required by State of Minnesota, Federal government, and/or District 833.
• Possess the skills and ability to reinforce math, reading, and writing skills in early childhood classrooms.
• Proven teamwork, confidentiality, and communication skills.
• Models appropriate behavior, neat appearance, and proper grammar usage for all students. Helps provide a positive learning environment.
• Self-directed and able to organize small group reading and math activities with resources and assessments provided.
• Actively participates in district-sponsored training when offered.
• Ability to perform routine computer functions, including email, Internet navigation and Microsoft Word.
• Ability to pass Paraprofessional fitness for duty tests.
• Ability to lift and transfer up to 50 pounds.
• Prompt, regular and reliable attendance.
• Communicates with students, parents, co-workers, supervisors, and the community in a positive and responsive way that is consistently welcoming and enhances effective work relationships.
• Demonstrates an appreciation of diversity in all interactions and job functions.
  
  

Desired:

• Trained in and experience utilizing behavioral management techniques.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic academics and behavior characteristics of elementary and/or secondary students.
• Previous experience working with students with disabilities and knowledge of disabilities.
• Knowledge of the terminology related to the services and support of special education students.
• Demonstrates good organizational and time management skills.
  
  

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