Empowering Early Childhood SPED Para — Classroom Support

East Lansing Public Schools; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lansing Public Schools seeks an Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional (1.0 FTE) to support students at Red Cedar Elementary. The role emphasizes language development, behavior supports, and collaboration with teachers and families.

Hourly pay ranges from $17.44 to $22.86 under the ELESPA contract, with duties including tutoring, progress documentation, and material preparation. The position runs for the 26/27 school year with an ASAP start date and an October 14, 2026

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience implementing individual student behavior support plans is required.
• Knowledge of early language development, communication strategies, visual supports, and positive behavior supports.
• Experience working with students with varying learning styles and needs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with teachers, related service providers, families, and other members of the educational team.
• Ability to use basic office and audiovisual equipment.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with students at varying age/developmental levels.
• Basic word processing skills are desired.
• Training in CPI, behavior supports, communication strategies, or related areas preferred.
• Ability to push and/or pull up to 220 pounds on a wheeled cart is required.

Responsibilities

• Supports students in developing communication, academic, behavioral, and social skills.
• Models and reinforces language at each student’s language level and supports early language development.
• Implements visual schedules, prompts, and other strategies to help students follow directions and complete activities.
• Implements individual student behavior support plans and uses positive behavior supports to promote appropriate behavior and engagement.
• Observes student behaviors, documents observations, and reports concerns to the teacher.
• Monitors participation and interactions, supports self-checking activities, and maintains related records.
• Provides individual tutoring and small-group instruction as directed by the teacher.
• Assists in assessing and documenting student progress.
• Identifies learning styles and adjusts tutoring and instructional techniques accordingly.
• Collaborates with teachers, related service providers, and families to support goals.
• Organizes and prepares instructional materials and supplies.
• Operates and organizes instructional, office, and audiovisual equipment.
• Performs routine record-keeping and other clerical duties.
• Performs other duties as directed.

Job description

East Lansing Public Schools seeks an Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional (1.0 FTE) to support students at Red Cedar Elementary. The role emphasizes language development, behavior supports, and collaboration with teachers and families.

Hourly pay ranges from $17.44 to $22.86 under the ELESPA contract, with duties including tutoring, progress documentation, and material preparation. The position runs for the 26/27 school year with an ASAP start date and an October 14, 2026