Special Education Paraprofessional

Lufkin ISD; Brandon (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A School District in Minnesota is seeking an Instructional Aide to support students with disabilities in a self-contained classroom. The role includes assisting with classroom programs, managing student behavior, and helping with personal care needs. Candidates should have an associate's degree or relevant experience working with children. Effective communication and the ability to follow instructions are essential. This position requires frequent physical activity and adaptability to various classroom environments.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree, two years of study at an institution of higher learning, or met formal academic assessment as required by ESSA.
• Some experience working with children.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher in preparing instructional materials.
• Help manage behavior of students with disabilities.
• Supervise students during the school day.

Skills

Ability to work with children with disabilities

Effective communication

Ability to follow instructions

Knowledge of office equipment

Education

Associate's degree or two years of higher education

Tools

Standard office equipment

Standard instructional equipment

Job description

Location: 121 BRANDON ELEMENTARY

Primary Purpose

Help meet physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in a self-contained classroom. Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of a certified teacher.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

Associate's degree, two years of study at an institution of higher learning, or have met formal academic assessment as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Knowledge of general office equipment

Experience

Some experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Instructional Support

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs including transferring to and from wheelchairs; lifting; positioning; or assisting students with personal care such as feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous students as needed.
• Recognize differences in each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs and adapt methods and interaction accordingly.
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.

Other

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Customer Care Skills
• Provide professional communication with students, parents, community members, staff, and other professionals at all times.
• Use proper phone etiquette at all times, speaking slowly and clearly. Take reliable messages, and route to the appropriate staff.
• Ensure superior customer care skills are used via eye contact, facial expressions, voice inflections, body language, and an attitude of "going the extra mile" for others.
• Ensure all requests for information are dealt with in an appropriate timeframe.
• Create and maintain a welcoming, service-oriented environment toward all internal and external customers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students.

Posture: Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion: Frequent walking and reaching.

Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting no ambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment.

Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases).

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress.