Elementary Special Education Lower Resource Room Paraprofessional

Sylvania; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalamazoo Public Schools is hiring a Special Education Lower Elementary Resource Room Paraprofessional at Lincoln International Studies School. The role pays an hourly rate of 17.82 and runs on a 10-month, full-time schedule to support students with special needs in SPED and general education classrooms.

Responsibilities include behavior and instructional support, student progress documentation, transitions, and assisting with personal care as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required and ESSA qualifications listed.
• Ability to communicate clearly with students and staff.
• Physical capability for lifting and assisting students.
• Willingness to work with diverse learners in SPED and general education.

Responsibilities

• Provide behavioral, medical, and instructional support to eligible students.
• Escort students during transitions in and out of the building.
• Assist in charting student needs and progress.
• Provide personal care and support as needed.
• Assist in assessing student progress toward goals.

Skills

Speak clearly

Restraint of students

Energy and composure

Rapport with students

Flexibility

Education

High school diploma or GED

ESSA options: 60 college hours

Associate degree or higher

Paraprofessional assessment options

Job description

Special Education

Lower Elementary Resource Room Paraprofessional

Lincoln International Studies School

KSP, Paraprofessional Hourly Rate ($17.82)

(Pay Rate for 2025 - 2026 School Year)

10 Month, Full-Time

Scope of Responsibilities

Works with students with special needs within special education and general education environments.

Performance Responsibilities

1. Provide behavioral, medical, and/or instructional support to eligible special education students in special and/or general education classes.
2. Escort students in transition (i.e., entering and exiting the building, in the hallways between classes, into and out of breakfast/lunch) as necessary.
3. Communicate with students in a calm and firm manner.
4. Assist in problem-solving with appropriate strategies, consequences, and incentives that support and reinforce student progress.
5. Assist in charting the needs and achievements of students as needed.
6. Assist in providing personal care to students, including lifting, feeding, toileting, and body positioning as needed.
7. Assist with assessment of student progress in achieving goals and objectives.
8. Assist students individually and in groups with academic assignments.
9. Perform routine classroom tasks, such as maintaining records and a clean physical environment, as assigned by the classroom teacher.
10. Assist the classroom teacher in implementing school and/or classroom rules.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have at least a high school diploma or accredited equivalency and at least one of the following Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) qualifications:

1. two years of study (60 credit hours) at an institution of higher learning.
2. an associate degree or higher.
3. passing scores in math, reading, and writing on the ACT Work Keys Assessment prior to June 1, 2017, or the Basic Skills Test of the Michigan Teacher Test for Certification; or
4. passing score of at least 460 on the ETS (Education Testing Service) Paraprofessional Assessment.

• Ability to speak clearly and express ideas clearly.
• Ability to handle and restrain students if necessary.
• Good personal appearance and grooming.
• Ability to handle the physical requirements of the job: bending, lifting.
• Willingness to work with various students in the building.
• Ability to maintain the necessary energy and composure to work successfully with students.
• Ability to develop a rapport with special education students.
• Evidence of a desirable work record (i.e., low absenteeism, good job performance, flexibility).

Kalamazoo Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.