Special Education - Paraprofessional

McLean County Unit District No; Waukee (IA); On-site; USD 26,174 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Board-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision

Job summary

McLean County Unit District No is seeking a Special Education Paraprofessional to support students with learning disabilities and autism in a general education setting. You will collaborate with teachers to prepare materials, supervise students, and help with instructional activities in Sugar Creek.

The position requires an educator license with paraprofessional endorsement, strong communication, and the ability to assist with self-care and mobility needs.

Qualifications

• Must possess an educator license with stipulations endorsed for paraprofessional educator or professional educator license.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for collaboration with staff and the public.
• Ability to maintain professional standards and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Discuss duties with teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Prepare lesson materials and displays as needed.
• Presents subject matter under teacher guidance using various methods.
• Maintain supportive relationship with students without over-involvement.
• Supervise students in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and during field trips.
• Distribute teaching materials and collect assignments.
• Assist with self-care, hygiene, feeding as necessary, and assist paraprofessionals.
• Maintain ethical behavior and confidentiality of student information.

Skills

Licensure

Communication

Policy enforcement

Relationship skills

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull up to 10 lbs

Attention to detail

Education

Educator license with paraprofessional endorsement

Job description

Position Title: Special Education - Paraprofessional

Location: Sugar Creek

Department: Building Personnel

Reports to: Principal/Assistant Principal

FLSA Class: Non-Exempt

FTE: 1.0

SUMMARY

This position is responsible for working closely with students in a general education classroom with students with learning disabilities, autism, or mild behaviors on a regular basis in an effort to provide them with the support they need to gain full benefit from the District's special education program.

DUTIES

• Discusses assigned duties with classroom teachers in order to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Prepares lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations as needed.
• Presents subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role‑playing methods.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the student personnel evaluation team conferring about one of the students to whom assigned.
• Supervises students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Conducts demonstrations to teach such skills as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
• Distributes teaching materials such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils to students.
• Distributes tests and homework assignments, and collect them when they are completed.
• Enforces administration policies and rules governing students.
• Grades homework and tests, and computes and records results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
• Completes required reports in a timely manner.
• Teaches socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
• Works with students with multiple physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.
• Is familiar with and uses adaptive equipment including, communication equipment, wheel chairs, adaptive feeding tools, etc.
• Assists students with self‑care, hygiene, and feeding as necessary.
• May be required to perform tasks that students are not able to do, i.e. taking notes, handling materials, holding books, etc.
• May work with/handle resistive students.
• Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of fully licensed teachers.
• Assists the classroom teacher in other tasks necessary in maintaining a professional and positive classroom environment, and performs other teacher aide duties as may be assigned by the classroom teacher, administration or Board of Education.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a registered license with the Regional Office of Education #17 at the time of hire.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills to work with teachers, education support personnel, building administrators and the general public.
• Enforce school regulations and policies in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and pupils.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Requires employee to have the ability to push/pull up to 10 lbs.
• Must be detail oriented.

Certification

Must possess an educator license with stipulations endorsed for paraprofessional educator or professional educator license at the time of hire.

Compensation

Fully Board Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision available. Per the 2026-2027 Teaching Assistant Salary Schedule, the starting pay range is $19.48 - $22.40 per hour and is based upon experience.