Special Education Paraprofessional (Grades K-12)

Muhlenberg School District; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Muhlenberg School District seeks a paraprofessional to assist teachers in a special education setting, supporting students in K-12 across classrooms and activities. The role involves monitoring, implementing IEP goals, and promoting student safety and independence.

Candidates should have at least a high school diploma or higher, complete required trainings (First Aid, CPR, crisis intervention), and be prepared for district in-service and field trips.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or higher / 48 college credits / high school diploma and pass a local assessment test.
• First Aid and CPR Training within 60 days of hire.
• Yearly paraprofessional training minimum 20 hours per year.
• Must complete PDE state-approved crisis intervention restraint training after hire.
• Must maintain restraint training certification annually.
• Prior experience with students preferred.
• Pre-employment medical examination required.
• Criminal history and FBI background checks required.
• Sexual misconduct disclosure release required.

Responsibilities

• Under teacher guidance, provide instructional support to assigned student(s).
• Implement IEP goals and document progress; attend IEP meetings when requested.
• Follow teacher plans and encourage student independence.
• Adapt assignments and tests for students with disabilities.
• Observe and intervene to redirect disruptive behavior and keep students on task.
• Support social skills development and accompany students to specials (music, art, gym).
• Provide coverage at recess and lunch, field trips, and assemblies for safety and behavior.
• Report student progress and behavior to SPED and regular education staff; assist with clerical duties.
• Attend district in-service activities and off-site trainings as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned; work in a self-contained SPED program with students with significant needs.

Skills

First Aid & CPR

Paraprofessional training

Crisis intervention training

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Following directions

Education

HS diploma or higher / 48 college credits

Job description

Position can be assigned at any of our buildings based on student need.

Positions will be elementary (K-6) and secondary (7-12).

Muhlenberg School District

TITLE: Paraprofessional DATE: October 21, 2022

CLASSIFICATION: Support Staff REVISED: October 21, 2022

REPORTS TO: Principal and Teacher FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

LOCATION: Schools

JOB SUMMARY: Assist the teacher by monitoring and assisting special education students in the special education classroom and during other activities to ensure a provision of quality instruction. Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to information concerning students. The special education paraprofessional will receive guidance from members of the IEP team including the special education teacher, related service provider(s), behavior analyst, and other team members. The main areas of focus are:

• Classroom assistance Helping with daily classroom activities, academic instruction, and independent work
• Behavior support Assisting with behavior management, living skills, and implementing behavior plans
• Student care Promoting the student's dignity and affirming their abilities, while also caring for their physical, emotional, and safety needs
• Data collection Collecting data as needed

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Under the guidance and supervision of the teacher, provide instructional support to assigned student or students. Support may include assisting the student(s) with focusing attention, following along with the teacher in instructional materials and activities, recording information, taking notes, completing assignments, studying for and taking tests, organizing assignments, notebooks, homework assignment books and locker, working independently in instructional materials and other activities as determined by the needs of the student(s).
• Through the direction of the teacher, participate in the implementation of Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals for the purpose of the student or students to meet their IEP goals. Document progress toward the student's or students' IEP goals and objectives and attend IEP meetings, when requested.
• Follow the teacher's plans while working with the student(s) and encouraging independence.
• Adjust, adapt, and modify assignments, tests, and other activities for special education students under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
• Observe and intervene to redirect disruptive inappropriate behavior, direct and keep the student(s) on task.
• Support social skills acquisition, which may include reteaching such social skills with an individual or small group under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
• Accompany student(s) to special classrooms, including but not limited to music, art, and gymnasium. Provide assistance to special area teachers.
• Provide coverage at recess periods and at lunch as well as field trips, assemblies and etc. to ensure safety and appropriate behavior.
• Provide information as needed to the Special Education department and regular education teacher regarding a student's behavior and/or progress on IEP goals.
• Perform various clerical duties as needed, maintain records of student progress; develop and file incident reports; provide support and assistance including but not limited to creating bulletin boards, instructional material and photo-copying.
• When requested, serve as a personal care aide to a student or small number of students for a limited time.
• Attend district in-service activities and participate in off-site training sessions, when requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal, teacher and/or special education administrators.
• This position involves working with students in a self-contained special education program or a special education classroom for students with significant needs that are related to disabilities, such as emotional/behavioral disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or higher or hold at least forty-eight (48) college credits or High school diploma or equivalent and pass a local assessment test.
• First Aid and CPR Training, within sixty (60) days of date of hire
• Yearly paraprofessional training required with a minimal of twenty (20) hours of training yearly.
• Must complete a PDE state approved crisis intervention restraint training after being hired.
• Must maintain restraint training certification through the completion of a PDE state approved crisis intervention restraint recertification training which must be completed annually.
• Previous experience with students preferred.
• Submission of pre-employment medical examination (Section 148 of the Pennsylvania School Code).
• Submission of a report of criminal history record from the Pennsylvania State Police (Section 111 of the Pennsylvania School Code).
• Submission of a clearance report from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in accordance with Act 151 of 1994.
• Submission of the FBI Criminal History Record in accordance with Act 114 of 2006
• Submission of sexual misconduct/abuse disclosure release form in accordance with Act 168 of 2014.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Physical Demands

• Ability to reach above and below the waist
• Ability to use fingers to pick, feel and grasp objects
• Ability to use both hands for repetitive motion
• Considerable bending and twisting of the body required
• Some stooping and squatting required
• Ability to lift and/or carry supplies and/or papers weighing no more than 20 lbs.
• Ability to stand for long periods of the workday

Sensory Abilities

• Visual acuity
• Auditory acuity

Work Environment

• Typical classroom environment
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions

Temperament

• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Must be able to work with students
• Must be cooperative, congenial, and service-oriented
• Must be able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions
• Must be able to understand and maintain confidentiality

Cognitive Ability

• Ability to follow written and verbal directions
• Ability to read and write
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to organize tasks
• Ability to handle multiple tasks
• Ability to exercise good judgment
• Ability to assist in mathematics, reading and other content areas

Specific Skills

• Ability to operate office equipment

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.