Instructional Support Paraeducator

Fountain Hills Unified District; Fountain Hills (AZ); On-site; USD 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Fountain Hills Unified District in Arizona is seeking an Instructional Support Paraeducator to assist the Special Education teacher in implementing individualized education programs for students with special needs.

You will work closely with students, provide physical and emotional support, and reinforce educational goals in both special and general education settings. This role emphasizes data collection, collaboration with staff and parents, and adherence to FERPA policies.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• CPR and First Aid certificates required.
• Ability to perform general clerical duties.
• Ability to work one-to-one with students.
• Positive, friendly, patient demeanor.
• Ability to relate to students, parents, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing plans to meet individual goals.
• Select materials to implement goals.
• Work with individuals or groups on concepts.
• Support Special Needs students in general education classrooms.
• Implement strategies and modifications as needed.
• Gather data and report to staff and parents.
• Participate in IEP meetings as necessary.
• Oversee program if needed.
• Maintain confidentiality per FERPA.
• Participate in training sessions for ongoing skills.
• Understand individual students’ needs, interests and abilities.
• Complete Medicaid, Direct Service Claiming (MIPS) forms monthly.
• Monitor behavior inside/outside the classroom; accompany students as needed.
• Reinforce therapy goals and skills.
• Help students stay on task and provide praise.
• Maintain professionalism with families.
• Assist in modifying classroom and homework for modifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication with students

One-to-one support

Patient demeanor

Team collaboration

Crisis prevention awareness

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Instructional Support Paraeducator

Support the Special Education teacher in implementation of an appropriate Special Education Program for special needs students. Work closely with special needs students on a regular basis to assist in providing them with the physical help, emotional support, and academic reinforcement needed to meet individual student’s educational plans.

MAJOR TASKS:

• Assist special education teacher and staff in developing plans for meeting students’ individual goals and objectives
• Selects classroom materials appropriate to implement goals and objectives
• Work without direct supervision with individuals or groups of individuals on concepts introduced by the supervising teacher
• Assist special needs students in the general education classrooms
• Implement strategies, techniques and modifications unique to the special needs students as the need arises or as required
• Gather data and disseminate information and reports to special education staff and parents
• Participate in IEP meetings as necessary
• Oversee special education program if situation arises which demands attention of the special education teacher
• Maintain confidentiality in regard to information about Special Education students, following all FERPA policies and Laws
• Participate in training sessions, e.g. Crises Prevention Intervention, CPR/FA, conferences and workshops for ongoing professional skills
• Develops and maintains understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, abilities and disabilities
• Complete Medicaid, Direct Service Claiming (MIPS) forms on a monthly basis
• Monitor student’s behavior inside and outside of the classroom. Accompany students to and from class, if needed
• Reinforce therapy goals and skills
• Assist student to stay on task, redirect/refocus and offer praise and contingency rewards
• Uses effective basic strategies for management of behavior
• Maintain professionalism when working with families. Refrains from becoming personally involved outside of school
• Assists in modifying classroom and homework of students requiring modifications
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education, Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and/or Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Current CPR Certificate
• Current First Aide Certificate
• Capability of performing general clerical duties
• Ability to work with students on a one-to-one
• Ability to relate to students, parents and staff in a positive manner
• Ability to relate and cooperate with school personnel and students
• Friendly, helpful attitude toward all
• Patient, calm demeanor

Special Criteria

Professional appearance and demeanor

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret written documents. Ability to respond effectively to inquiries or complaints. Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply principles of reason and logic for problem-solving purposes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop or kneel. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.