Paraprofessional Special Education

Russell County Public Schools; Honaker (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell County Public Schools in Virginia is seeking a dedicated paraprofessional to assist certified staff in the classroom, support reading, language arts, mathematics and computer instruction, and help reinforce basic skills. You will work with students individually and in small groups and assist with assessments and materials.

You will also supervise lunch, buses, playgrounds, study halls, accompany students on field trips, and help maintain a safe, orderly learning environment while

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• Completion of college coursework or passing of NCLB requirements is preferred.
• Experience with special needs is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist certified staff to meet instructional goals and free teachers for other duties.
• Support reading, language arts, mathematics, and computer instruction.
• Work with students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning.
• Assist with administration and correction of classroom exercises and assessments.
• Prepare instructional materials and reinforce skills for individual needs.
• Log student performance and assist with record-keeping.
• Support classroom behavioral management to maintain a safe learning environment.
• Supervise non-instructional areas (lunch, bus, playground, study hall, etc.).
• Accompany students on field trips for supervision.
• Assist with parent contact to foster involvement; support inclusion of students with special needs.
• Participate in IEP processes as needed and assist the evaluation team.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities in daily activities as needed.
• Follow safety rules and procedures for all students.

Skills

Follow instructions

Basic arithmetic

PC literacy

Diversity awareness

Confidentiality

Student relations

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

College coursework or No Child Left Behind Act requirements

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

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 teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• - Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• - Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• - 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.

Additional Duties:

• - Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
• - 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.

Equipment

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

Travel Requirements

• - Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.

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 understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• - 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.
• - Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• - Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• - Works in standard office and school building environments.
• - Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
• - Ability to lift, up to 35 pounds, as required

Note:

Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.

Qualifications Profile

• - Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
• - High School diploma or equivalent.
• - Successful completion of college level coursework or passing of examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
• - Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.