Paraprofessionals - ESI

Portage Public Schools; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Portage Public Schools seeks a paraprofessional to support special education students under the teacher's direction. The role involves instructional and non-instructional assistance in a least restrictive environment, data recording, and collaboration with teachers.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 2 years of college or a paraprofessional test credential, and experience with children. Regular attendance and adherence to district policies are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• 2 years of college (60 semester credits) or an Associate’s degree or higher OR completion of the MDE approved Paraprofessional standards test (ETS).
• Experience working with children.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication abilities.
• Patience, willingness to learn new skills, and ability to take direction.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher during lessons and support follow-up activities.
• Record data on student performance.
• Supervise students and assist with daily living tasks as needed.
• Monitor safety during playground, offsite activities, and travel to bus.
• Assist with medical needs and behavior management programs.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Experience with children

Patience

Willingness to learn

Education

High school diploma/GED or equivalent

Associate’s degree or 60 college credits or Paraprofessional test

Job description

Paraprofessionals - ESI (Special Education)

2026.27 School Year

Angling Road Elementary School

$18.00/Hour

Under direction of the teacher, the paraprofessional provides both instructional and non-instructional support to special education students in the least restrictive environment within the school setting. May also serve as a liaison between the special and regular education teachers, be assigned additional or different students at any given time and support teacher reports with additional information at IEP’s and conferences.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist teacher during the lesson by finishing assignment instructions.
• Work with individuals or small groups of students on follow-up activities.
• Record data on student performance.
• Remove and put on outer clothing for arrival, recess and dismissal times.
• Assists in lifting and positioning student, diapering, opening thermos/carton, lunch line, feeding, convenient seating at group activities, maintaining time schedules, etc.
• Supervise playground, offsite activities and an independent wheelchair/walker travel to assure safety.
• Assist with medical needs, which may include catheterizing removal and attaching of splints/casts/braces.
• Accompany student in the pool.
• Observe students for the purpose of charting behavior and offer assistance in the administration of behavior modification principles.
• Fill out, distribute and/or collect checklists.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Reinforce instruction by administering drill activities for individuals or small groups.
• Administer and score standardized and criterion referenced tests or teacher made tests.
• Monitor student to develop independence in daily living skills.
• Assist in supervising during non-instructional periods such as snack time, study hall and/or lunch period, free time and/or recess, bathroom breaks, and preparation for gym, lunch, bus, etc.
• Transfer students to and from bus.
• Physically restrain students as needed
• Assist in implementing behavior management programs.
• Regular and consistent attendance.
• Must have knowledge of and comply with the policies and procedures contained in the Portage Public Schools Employee Handbook.

The above duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the nature of the work by this position. The listing is not all-inclusive.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• The equivalent of 2 years of college (60 semester credits) or an Associate’s degree or higher OR the successful completion of the MDE approved Paraprofessional standards test (ETS).
• Experience working with children.
• Demonstrated abilities in the area of interpersonal communication.
• A high degree of patience, ability and willingness to learn new skills and take direction.

The physical demands described here 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.

Notice of Non-Discrimination:

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex(including sexual orientation andgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, 'Protected Classes'), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. The following positions at Portage Public Schools have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Human Resources Director Jennifer Meisterheim and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Russell Gerbers. Contact information: 269-323-5000, 8107 Mustang Drive, Portage, Mi 49002