Secondary Special Education Resource Room Paraprofessional

Kalamazoo Public Schools; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo Public Schools is seeking a Secondary Special Education Resource Room Paraprofessional for a 10-month, full-time role. The paraprofessional will support students with special needs in both special and general education settings, with duties including behavioral support, transitions, and instructional assistance.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED and ESSA-qualified credentials, with responsibilities spanning documentation, student progress, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; ESSA qualification required.
• Ability to handle and restrain students if necessary.
• Ability to communicate clearly and express ideas.
• Strong attendance and reliable work record.

Responsibilities

• Provide behavioral, medical, and instructional support to students.
• Escort students during transitions in hallways and common areas.
• Assist in charting student needs and progress.
• Support personal care tasks as needed.
• Assist with academic assignments individually or in groups.
• Maintain classroom records and a clean environment.
• Assist in enforcing school/classroom rules.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Behavioral support

Clear communication

Rapport with students

Energy and composure

Physical stamina

Lifting restrictions compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or higher (preferred)

ACT Work Keys / Basic Skills alternative

ETS Paraprofessional Assessment

Job description

Secondary Special Education Resource Room Paraprofessional
Loy Norrix High School

KSP, Paraprofessional Hourly Rate ($17.82)

(Pay Rate for 2025 - 2026 School Year)
10 Month, Full-Time

Scope of Responsibilities

Works with students with special needs within special education and general education environments.

Performance Responsibilities

1. Provide behavioral, medical, and/or instructional support to eligible special education students in special and/or general education classes.
2. Escort students in transition (i.e., entering and exiting the building, in the hallways between classes, into and out of breakfast/lunch) as necessary.
3. Communicate with students in a calm and firm manner.
4. Assist in problem-solving appropriate strategies, consequences, and incentives that support and reinforce student progress.
5. Assist in charting the needs and achievements of students as needed.
6. Assist in providing personal care to students, including lifting, feeding, toileting, and body positioning as needed.
7. Assist with the assessment of student progress in achieving goals and objectives.
8. Assist students individually and in groups with academic assignments.
9. Perform routine classroom tasks, such as maintaining records and a clean physical environment, as assigned by the classroom teacher.
10. Assist the classroom teacher in implementing school and/or classroom rules.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have at least a high school diploma or accredited equivalency and at least one of the following Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) qualifications:

1. two years of study (60 credit hours) at an institution of higher learning.
2. an associate degree or higher.
3. passing scores in math, reading, and writing on the ACT Work Keys Assessment prior to June 1, 2017, or the Basic Skills Test of the Michigan Teacher Test for Certification; or
4. passing score of at least 460 on the ETS (Education Testing Service) Paraprofessional Assessment.

• Ability to handle and restrain students if necessary.
• Ability to speak clearly and express ideas clearly.
• Good personal appearance and grooming.
• Ability to handle the physical requirements of the job: bending, lifting.
• Willingness to work with various students in the building.
• Ability to maintain necessary energy and composure to work successfully with students.
• Ability to develop a rapport with special education students.
• Evidence of a desirable work record (i.e., low absenteeism, good job performance, flexibility).

Kalamazoo Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.