PreSchool Paraprofessional II-A (SPED)

Topeka Public Schools; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Topeka Public Schools is seeking paraprofessional staff to support students with disabilities and assist in daily instructional activities. The role involves teamwork with certified professionals, individualized student assistance, and contributing to a safe, supportive learning environment across multiple locations.

Responsibilities include tutoring, data recording, classroom assistance, and coordinating with families to access community resources.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• 48 hours college credit or pass state paraprofessional assessments.
• Ability to complete annual in-service training.
• Conscientiously follow directions and communicate effectively.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills; exhibit sound judgment.
• Adapt to a variety of situations and understand student learning needs.
• Some positions require specialized qualifications such as piano, PE, outdoors/nature, or non-English fluency.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily instruction and training.
• Assist students in achieving individual objectives.
• Provide assistance and care with dressing, eating, toileting and grooming.
• Record/chart student data and supervise activities as assigned.
• Monitor students for changes requiring assistance or medication.
• Tutor children individually and in groups.
• Set up equipment for testing and learning; communicate with staff and students.
• Assist with therapy procedures initiated by the certified supervisor.
• Perform liaison duties between staff and parents; conduct home visits as needed.
• Assist families in accessing community resources and emergency services.
• Monitor in-school supervision areas and assist with behavior management as required.
• Assist with attendance, data collection and graphing; organize and schedule conferences.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Follow directions

Student understanding

Teamwork

Disability awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

48 hrs college credit or paraprofessional assessments

Job description

Reports To: Certified Faculty/Administrator

Position Purpose: To insure the successful learning of exceptional students by providing and facilitating quality support to programs and personnel

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency

• 48 hrs college credit or pass state-mandated paraprofessional assessments

• Ability to successfully accomplish/complete the annual in-service training

• Conscientiously accept and follow directions

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Exhibit sound judgment

• Adapt to a variety of situations

• Fundamental understanding of students and the learning process

• Some positions will require specialized qualifications such as expertise with the piano, skill in physical education, knowledge of the outdoors/nature and hiking, and non-English language fluency

Physical/Emotional Requirements: (The incumbent may be required to use the below requirements during any part of the working day.) Speaking, hearing, manual dexterity (coordination of eye/hand for such activities as typing, calculating, word processing, and the like), Bending/stooping, sitting, walking, standing, lifting (up to 50lbs.) Some positions will require the ability to provide physical assistance and personal care for students with various disabilities.

Performance Responsibilities: Assignments vary by location, programs, and students served. The position requires the ability and willingness to work with students having disabilities ranging from mild to severe.

Each para will be assigned to work in one or more of the following environment(s).

• Work with an individual professional and/or student throughout the day

• Work as a team member (composed of paras and certified professionals).

• Under the direction of a certified faculty member, work individually with varied students throughout the day

• Work as a team with varied groups of students throughout the day

Listed below are a variety of expectations which may be assigned by the certified supervisor. This is a representative list and is not meant to be all inclusive. As assigned:

• Assist in daily instruction and training

• Assist students in achieving their individual objectives

• Provide assistance and care in such activities as dressing, eating, drinking, toileting and grooming

• Record/chart student data

• Assist in restraining students

• Monitor students for changes which require medication

• Tutor children individually and in groups

• Set up equipment for testing and learning

• Communicate effectively with patrons and students

• Assist students with therapy procedures initiated by the certified supervisor

• Perform liaison duties between staff and parents

• Conduct home visits

• Assist families in accessing available community resources

• Assist in obtaining emergency services such as clothing, food, medical services, etc

• Monitor students and provide assistance for in-school suspension, lunchroom, recess, field trip and hall supervision

• Under the direction of a certified staff member, monitor library/learning centers, laboratories and equipment

• Assist students with therapy procedures initiated by the certified supervisor

• Administer, score and record achievement and diagnostic tests under the supervision of a certified faculty member

• Type, organize, duplicate, distribute/file correspondence, reports, tests, testing materials

• Prepare and maintain records and reports

• Transcribe taped information

• Complete record forms including histories, needs, and problems and recommended action

• Operate and care for assigned equipment

• Perform general bookkeeping tasks including the collection and recording of collected money

• Answer phone, provide information when appropriate, relay messages, set up appointments

• Assist school personnel, parents and students in the successful transition and integration of students into the proper learning environment(s)

• Organize and/or schedule conferences

• Assist in implementing plans by notifying, scheduling, coordinating, and presenting information

• Assist with behavior control as needed

• Assist with attendance, data collection and graphing

• Receive, sort, process and distributes equipment, materials and mail

• Attend professional development meetings, and other meetings as assigned

Terms of Employment:

9 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board policy on evaluation of Paraprofessional Personnel

Significant associations:

The performance responsibilities are not limited to those outlined in this description and may include any other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator/supervisor