Paraprofessional - Cologne Academy (western Carver County)

Cologne Academy; Cologne (MN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Cologne Academy in Cologne, MN is actively seeking a Special Education Paraprofessional to provide essential support for students with special needs. The role requires a two-year degree or higher, along with a minimum of 3 years of experience in a K-12 school setting. Responsibilities include assisting special education teachers, monitoring student progress, and implementing IEP goals. The position promises teamwork, professional growth, and a commitment to fostering a high-performance educational environment. Interested candidates can apply online or via email.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience as a paraprofessional in a K-12 school setting.
• Knowledge of the needs of students with special education needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist special education teachers in providing instructional content to students receiving special education.
• Monitor and implement accommodations for students with IEPs during unstructured times.
• Demonstrate understanding of the individual and unique characteristics of students with disabilities.

Skills

Flexibility

Behavior Management

Team Collaboration

Education

Two-year degree or higher

60 credits toward a degree

Passing score on MN Paraeducator test

Job description

Cologne Academy (Kindergarten - 8th Grade Public School) – Cologne, MN is located in Carver County and currently enrolls approximately 650 students. Cologne Academy offers its students an enriched learning experience through the Core Knowledge curriculum and an individualized approach to learning. Cologne Academy seeks professional educators who are passionate about contributing to its mission and vision that focuses on academics and character development.

Cologne Academy seeks a Special Education Paraprofessional.

Employment with Cologne Academy offers teamwork, challenges and room to grow. We believe that excellent staff are critical to the success of all students. We are committed to creating a high-performance work environment with continuous professional growth in support of rigorous academic growth for all students.

Position Purpose

Special Education Paraprofessionals provide assistance, under classroom teacher direction, to students identified with special needs by helping them stay on task, complete assignments, maintain acceptable behavior, and function in daily living and job skills.

Qualifications And Experience

• Two-year degree or higher, or 60 credits toward a degree, or obtain a passing score on the MN approved Paraeducator test, which measures math and reading skills.
• Knowledge of the needs of students with special education needs and services.
• Minimum 3 years experience as a paraprofessional in a K-12 school setting.
• Must be able to lift, pull, or move a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Accepts direction from supervising teacher(s) and is willing to work as a team.

Overview

• When paraprofessionals assigned to specific students are absent.
• When a paraprofessional has yet to be hired for a student new to the district or new to special education.
• To assist with a student who is struggling and information is being gathered to address needs.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Flexibility and ability to manage quick changes to the schedule for the day.
• Ability to perform all of the tasks in the paraprofessional job description (as follows).
• Additional training provided by the district, particularly in the area of positive behavior interventions.
• Willingness to work with students with a wide range of behavioral, academic, physical, sensory, or health challenges.

Paraprofessional Duties And Responsibilities

• Demonstrate understanding of the individual and unique characteristics of students with disabilities and assist them with their special needs.
• Understand and provide assistance with assessment, data collection, and implementation of individual plans.
• Assist special education teachers in providing instructional content to students receiving special education.
• Understand the basic legal foundations of special education.
• Work under the direction of a licensed special education teacher to support students who have Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
• Demonstrate an understanding of the implementation of IEP goals, services and accommodations.
• Ability to locate and interpret accommodations on students’ IEPs.
• Assist students with IEPs with personal care services and activities of daily living including toileting and eating.
• Perform transfers safely for students with physical disabilities.
• Work with students on functional living skills.
• Assist with bus arrival and departure monitoring.
• Monitor and implement accommodations for students with IEPs during unstructured times throughout the day, including playground and lunchroom.
• Communicate observations of changes in student’s physical, behavioral or academic functioning.
• Participate in professional development training offered by district special education and building special education teams.
• Assist special education teachers in monitoring student progress.
• Assist special education teachers with implementation and monitoring behavior intervention plans/behavior contracts.
• Follow specific student behavior plans such as behavior intervention plans (BIPs), contracts, point systems as directed by licensed staff.
• Facilitate small groups, as directed by the special education teacher.
• Provide students with clear instructions.
• Monitor and document student progress toward goals, as directed by the special education teacher.
• Provide assistance to the special education teacher in curriculum and lesson preparation.
• Provide support for students’ completing general education class work under the direction of teacher.
• Assist students with beginning of day/end of day routines.
• Assist students with organizational skills.
• Communicate on an on-going basis with special education teachers who direct your work.
• Collaborate with educational professionals who also support and work with students with IEPs.
• Use visual strategies to support student understanding of academic and social learning (i.e. 5 point scale, graphic organizers, social stories, comic strip conversations, etc.).
• Assist with differentiating curriculum and materials as directed by licensed staff.

Other Duties And Expectation

• Demonstrate understanding of the distinctions between roles and responsibilities of professionals, paraprofessionals, and support personnel.
• Follow district policies and procedures.
• Willingness to learn about children with special needs.
• Follow rules and expectations of confidentiality for all students.
• Function as a team player.
• Demonstrate regular attendance.
• Flexibility and ability to work with a variety of staff and students.
• Demonstrate positive, professional relationships with students, teachers, and peers.
• Take direction and feedback.
• Demonstrate on-the-job professionalism.
• Understand that assignments to work with specific students or types of students are not guaranteed. Any paraprofessional can be assigned to any student who may have behavioral, academic, cognitive, sensory, physical or health based disabilities.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility. Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Apply online under employment tab at www.cologneacademy.org. Or email [e-mail].