Paraprofessional - Blind/Low Vision

PORTER COUNTY EDUCATION SERVICES SCHOOL DISTRICT; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

PORTER COUNTY EDUCATION SERVICES SCHOOL DISTRICT seeks paraprofessionals to support certified staff in Morgan Township Schools. The role emphasizes assisting with instruction and supervision for blind or low-vision students, and helping with classroom activities and inclusive learning.

Responsibilities include reinforcing basic skills, supporting assessments, and maintaining records while ensuring a safe, structured classroom environment for all students during the school day.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow instructions in written or oral form.
• Ability to assist diverse students and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work with students with special needs and include them in activities.
• Ability to cooperate with staff and maintain a safe classroom environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist certified staff with students to meet instructional goals and alleviate non-professional duties.
• Reinforce reading, language arts, math, and computer instruction with students.
• Work with students individually or in small groups to support learning.
• Assist in administration and correction of classroom exercises and tests.
• Prepare and adapt instructional materials for individual needs.
• Keep records documenting student learning and performance.
• Support classroom behavior management for a safe, on-task environment.
• Supervise students in non-instructional areas (lunch, bus, playground, study hall).
• accompany students on field trips for supervision and assistance.
• Assist students with disabilities to maximize inclusion and participation.

Job description

PCES paraprofessionals work days are based on a school year calendar. We have positions available working with blind or low vision students at Morgan Township Schools.

Essential Job Functions

• Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.
• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.