Paraprofessional (Autistic Support)

Allentown City School District; Hanover Acres (PA); On-site; USD 22,241 - 31,677; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Personal and Sick time

PSERS Retirement Fund

Job summary

Allentown School District is seeking a Paraprofessional (Autistic Support) to support instructional and behavioral programs for students with disabilities. The role works under certificated staff to reinforce lessons, assist with classroom management, and support IEP goals in various settings.

Starting hourly wage is $19.57 with benefits per district policy. Qualifications include the PA Chapter 14, federal NCLB/IDEA requirements, required clearances (Act 34, 114, 151), and U.S.

Qualifications

• Meet educational requirements for highly qualified paraprofessional per federal laws.
• Must meet basic reading, writing, and math competencies.
• Must have Act 34, Act 114, and Act 151 clearances.
• U.S. citizenship or valid work visa.

Responsibilities

• Assist the principal and staff in maintaining a safe, orderly school environment.
• Assist teachers in delivering instructional and tutorial strategies per IEP.
• Provide instructional support under teacher direction to reinforce lessons.
• Collect data for progress monitoring under teacher direction.
• Maintain confidentiality per FERPA and district policies.
• Support students' personal needs and safe transitions within the school.
• Participate in training related to individualized needs of students with IEPs.
• Reassign paraprofessionals to meet priority needs when other staff are absent.

Skills

Reading

Writing

Math

Clearances

Work authorization

Education

2 years of postsecondary study

Associate degree or higher

20 hours of staff development annually

Job description

Paraprofessional (Autistic Support)

Starting Salary: $19.57/hr.

Qualifications:

1. Must meet educational requirements for "highly qualified paraprofessional," as defined by the federal laws, No Child Left Behind, and IDEA. Must meet educational requirements of Chapter 14, PA Code 22.
2. Must meet basic reading, writing, and math competencies.
3. Valid Act 34, 114, and Act 151 clearances.
4. Valid tuberculosis test and physical examination with ADA reasonable accommodations stipulated, as appropriate.
5. Must continue to meet the required annual obligations of Chapter 14, PA Code 22: 20 hours of approved staff development activities related to their assignment.
6. U. S. citizen or holder of a valid work visa.
7. Such additional or alternatives to the above qualifications as the board or superintendent may determine appropriate and acceptable.

Summary

An instructional paraprofessional is a school employee who works under the direction of a certificated staff member to support and assists in providing instructional, behavioral, and functional programs and services to children with disabilities or eligible young children. The support and assistance include one-on-one or group review of material taught by certificated staff, classroom management and implementation of positive behavior support plans. Services may be provided in a special education class, regular education class or other instructional setting (e.g., community-based instruction) as provided in the student's IEP. Instructional paraprofessionals shall meet one of the following qualifications:

• Have completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study.
• Possess an associate degree or higher. Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a State or local assessment.
• Participate in 20 hours of approved staff development activities annually.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assist the principal and other professionals in maintaining a safe and orderly school environment.
2. Assist the special education and regular education teachers in the delivery of appropriate instructional and tutorial strategies as per the individualized educational plan (IEP)
3. Under the direction of the teacher, provide instructional support for the purpose of supporting/reinforcing lessons (e.g., administering tests, tutoring or reinforcing instruction).
4. Under the direction of the teacher, collect observational and academic data for the purpose of progress monitoring.
5. Maintain students' files/records for the purpose of documenting activities and/or providing reliable information.
6. Under the direction of the teacher, follow and implement positive behavior support plans.
7. Handle students' personal needs (e.g., feeding, toileting, diapering, etc.) for the purpose of providing care to students who may or may not have medical conditions, but the medical concern is not the primary orientation for the student.
8. Assist students' safe transitions from/to locations and environments within and around the school (e.g., bus, cafeteria, community-based instruction, etc.).
9. Participate in specialized training related to specific individualized needs of eligible students with IEPs.
10. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations/Chapter 14.
11. Respond appropriately to emergency situations as per standing orders and other policies and procedures.
12. Perform such other tasks within the expectation of this job category and/or assume such other responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Superintendent of Schools, principal, or Director of Special Education.
13. When another paraprofessional (personal care assistant or educational interpreter) assigned within the building is absent (short-term), the administrator of the building may reassign other paraprofessionals to support special education students based on a priority of needs.
14. If the instructional paraprofessional is assigned to work with one student and the student is absent, the administrator of the building may reassign the paraprofessional during the absence of the student within special education.
15. Perform such other tasks within the expectation of this job category and/or assume such other responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Superintendent of Schools, principal, or Director of Special Education.

Share in our community! Grow with our students! Join our district today and be a part of our future!

The Allentown School District is committed to excellence! The richness of The Allentown School District's diversity is strengthened by its central role in educating our students for America's future through academic excellence and celebrating the culturally responsive, athletic and artistic range of talent in the schools. ASD students originate from 51 countries and speak 26 languages.

Benefits

The Allentown School District offers a comprehensive benefits package to those who qualify.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Personal and Sick time
• PSERS Retirement Fund

Eligibility for specific benefits will be outlined in each labor group's specific collective bargaining agreement.