Paraprofessional - Special Education

Kentwood Public Schools; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Kentwood Public Schools is seeking a ParaProfessional - Special Education to support students under supervision of a certified staff member. The role focuses on reinforcing instructional goals and offering support in non-instructional areas while promoting inclusive learning.

The position involves assisting with activities, differentiating materials, field trips, lunch and bus duties, and collaboration with teachers and families to advance IEP objectives and student progress.

Qualifications

• Two years of study at an institution of higher learning (60 credits) OR an associate's degree or higher OR pass an approved formal state assessment.
• Prior experience with students with disabilities is required.
• Knowledge of CPI training and district development opportunities may be required.
• Willingness to participate in professional development as identified by school leadership.

Responsibilities

• Assist students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning and social skills.
• Assist staff with classroom assignments, assessments, and material differentiation.
• Support non-instructional tasks such as lunch, bus duty, playground duty, and supervision.
• Help document student progress using data tracking aligned with IEPs and PBSPs.
• Participate in the IEP process as needed and assist with parent communication.

Skills

Instructions handling

Arithmetic operations

PC usage (Word/Excel)

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Communication (written/spoken)

Diversity & inclusion

Attendance & punctuality

Education

Two years of college or higher / Associate degree

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

Position: ParaProfessional - Special Education

Postion Purpose

Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, the paraprofessional is responsible for working as a team member to assist with students in the special education classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives. This person will also have a role in certain non-instructional and concept/skill reinforcement tasks and providing students the opportunity for additional adult/student relationships.

Schedule

5.75 hours/day, 5 days/week, 38 weeks/year

Essential Job Functions

• Assists and guides students in education and social development with students individually and in small groups to reinforce essential learning skills.
• Assists professional staff in administering classroom assignments and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for differentiating instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs, as evidenced by constructing, copying, distributing, and using educational materials as needed.
• The ability and willingness to complete the district provided Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training and maintain certification on schedule with the district's expectations.
• The ability to assist in working within data tracking systems to document student learning, progress, and performance aligned with student's Individual Education Program (IEP), Personal Care Services (PCS), and Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSP).
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other non-instructional areas.
• Assist, as needed or as an alternate in times of assigned staff absence, in students' medical, grooming, and self-care needs, including eating, tooth brushing, toileting, and diapering as needed per student's individualized Personal Care Services (PCS).
• The ability to accompany students on field trips to assist with supervision.
• Assists, as requested by the teacher, with parent contact to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with disabilities in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement of IEP goals and objectives, etc.
• Participates in the IEP process and serves as a resource for the student evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living to maximize their ability to participate in school, social, and learning activities.
• Follow all applicable safety rules, procedures, and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance

Additional Duties

• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

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

Equipment

Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

Travel Requirements

Travel between schools and between schools and central offices may be required for certain positions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and perform arithmetic operations to assist students as needed.
• Ability to understand, apply, and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with and 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.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.

Qualifications

• Two years of study at an institution of higher learning (equal to 60 credits) OR Obtain an associate's degree (or higher) OR Pass an approved formal state academic assessment.
• Prior experience working with students with disabilities
• Knowledge and training in proper classroom management techniques, such as verbal de-escalation skills and physical interventions, including Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI), may be required.
• Willingness to participate in professional development as identified by the principal, the special education department, or the school district.

Physical And Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Ada Requirements: The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described 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.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment), taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.
• Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate.
• Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

Visit the district website:

Click kentwoodps/employment.org

Kentwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in its employment decisions or the provision of services.