Paraprofessional- Childcare Classroom

EARLY CHILDHOOD; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Joplin R-8 School District's Early Childhood department in Joplin, MO seeks a Paraprofessional to support teachers in a 9-month term, assisting with instruction and behavior management under a building principal. Responsibilities include implementing instructional strategies, reinforcing skills, preparing for activities, maintaining records, and ensuring student safety.

Required qualifications include 60 college credits or passing specified ParaPro/ETS assessments and the 20HR Substitute

Qualifications

• 60 college credit hours or higher required.
• ParaPro Assessment passed by Sep 23, 2013 or later assessments passed.
• ETS ParaPro Assessment passed between Jul 1, 2024 and Jun 30, 2026.
• ParaPathways Assessment through ETS completed by Jul 1, 2026.
• Completed the 20HR Substitute Certificate Course.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate communication and collaboration to support the teaching team.
• Implement instructional strategies and reinforce previously learned skills.
• Provide support to meet educational, behavioral, and physical needs of students.
• Prepare for classroom instruction, including grading, copying, and roll-taking as directed.
• Model appropriate classroom management and behavior interventions.

Education

60 college credit hours

ParaPro Assessment (before 2013)

ParaPro Assessment (ETS 2024–2026)

ParaPathways Assessment (ETS 2026)

20HR Substitute Certificate Course

Job description

Paraprofessional- Childcare

Joplin R 8 School District EARLY CHILDHOOD - Joplin, Missouri Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Joplin Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5958486

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 13, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Position: Paraprofessional

Term: 9 months

Classification: Classified/Non-Exempt

Location: Early Childhood

Qualifications:

• Obtain 60 college credit hours, or
• Have passed the ParaPro Assessment (before September 23, 2013) or
• Have passed the Paraprofessional Assessment through Pearson (September 23, 2013 through June 20, 2024) or
• Have passed the ParaPro Assessment through ETS (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026) or
• Have passed the ParaPathways Assessment through ETS (July 1, 2026 forwar d)
• Completed the 20HR Substitute Certificate Course

Click Here for DESE Information

Supervisory: No

Reports to: Building Principal

Code: 001-3811-6152-7500-00000-1-000

Job Number: 110

The job of theparaprofessional is to support the teacher-classroom in the development, implementation and monitoring of a program designed to enhance the success of students academically and behaviorally.

General Expectations

• Supports the mission of Joplin Schools.
• Supports the value of education.
• Become familiar with, enforce, and follow all applicable Board policies and regulations, administrative procedures, other directions given by district administrators and supervisors, and state and federal laws.
• Properly supervise students at all times, if applicable to essential job functions.
• Obey all safety rules, including rules protecting the safety and welfare of students.
• Care for, properly use, and protect school property.
• Maintain courteous and professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, other district employees and the public.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, department staff, all members of the school district, and community as required.
• Provides excellence in customer service both internally and externally.
• Complies with privacy rights and safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information pertaining to staff and students.
• Reacts to change productively and receive and transmit constructive criticism as it relates to job duties.
• Actively participate in professional development and obtain skills and information necessary to effectively perform job duties.
• Conduct all official business in a professional and timely manner, utilizing district technology resources.
• Arrive to work and leave work at the time specified by supervisors and attend all required meetings pertinent to the position.
• Maintains accurate records and filing systems for accountability and audit purposes as required by law and Board policy.
• Solve practical problems utilizing math functions as needed to complete job duties.
• Read and interpret documents such as work orders, safety rules, and handbooks and apply to job duties.

Essential Functions:

• Demonstration of the communication and collaborative skills necessary for the teaching assistant to act as a member of an effective educational team
• Implementation of instructional strategies developed for students
• Perform duties designed to support skills being learned
• Under the direction of the teacher, reinforce or reteach skills previously learned
• Provide the support needed to assure that all needs of students are met: educational, behavioral, and physical
• Prepare for classroom instruction, including such activities as grading, copying, and taking roll as directed
• Implement, under the direction of the teacher a variety of effective teaching techniques in order to meet the individualized needs of students
• Implement preventative behavior strategies and interventions.
• Teach behavior related skills to individuals and small groups.
• Provide for individual differences
• Model behavior interventions and classroom management strategies for teachers.
• Respond to student needs removing barriers to learning.
• Effectively implement the modification and accommodation of classroom
• Carry out all other duties as assigned

Physical Demands

• Occasionally lift 50 pounds
• Frequently walk up and down stairs while assisting students
• Frequently walk on a variety of ground surfaces, including, but not limited to, paved, gravel, grass, or dirt
• Frequently bend and twist the torso and neck
• Frequently squat or kneel to the ground
• Frequently use repetitive arm, wrist and hand movements
• Use close, distance and peripheral vision as well as depth perception

Attendance

Regular and consistent attendance is an essential function of this position.

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

Conditions and Environment

The conditions and environment reflect that of a typical classroom setting.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Heather Surbrugg , Director
• EARLY CHILDHOOD
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]