Special Education Paraprofessional (South Elementary, ECSE)

Sylvania; Watervliet Township (MI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Watervliet Public Schools seeks a special education paraprofessional to support students with disabilities in inclusive settings. The role emphasizes assisting IEP-driven accommodations, monitoring student progress, and facilitating positive social interactions.

Responsibilities include helping students inside and outside the classroom, modeling appropriate communication, and collaborating with teachers, families, and staff to promote safe, inclusive learning environments.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate; must meet ONE of: 2 years of college (60 semester hours) or an associate's degree or pass a paraprofessional test for certification.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with children with special needs, parents, staff, administration, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Promote and exhibit positive relationships with students, families, and district staff.
• Provide support while promoting social acceptance and positive peer interactions for students with disabilities.
• Assist in evaluating the academic and behavioral performance of students.
• Provide assistance to eligible students with a disability as needed per IEP team decisions.
• Implement accommodations and modifications related to classroom activities based on IEP needs.
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside the classroom to enable full participation.
• Promote student independence in learning activities, completing assignments, and interacting with peers.
• Promote social acceptance and interaction with general education peers.
• Assist in implementing behavior intervention strategies.
• Provide appropriate documentation of related services provided.
• Assist in guiding and teaching expected, appropriate student behaviors to ensure a safe learning environment (PBIS).
• Model appropriate verbal communication to students and support skill development.
• Participate in professional learning activities.
• Carry out duties with minimal prompting.
• And any such duties as assigned.
• Building and job role assignment for special education paraprofessionals may change based on student and district needs.
• Watervliet Public Schools policy prohibits discrimination in employment.

Skills

Positive relationships

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Technology skills

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's degree or higher

Job description

Required Qualifications

• High School Graduate, must meet ONE of the following requirements:
• • Complete at least two years of study at college (equal to 60 semester hours)
  • Obtain an associate's degree (or higher)
  • Pass a paraprofessional test for certification
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with children with special needs, parents, staff, administration and the general public

Preferred Personal and Professional Competencies

• Passion for working with children with special needs in a collaborative environment
• Organized, capable, and able to multitask
• Desire to grow professionally
• Basic technology skills and the ability to apply these skills when working with students or completing other assigned duties
• Regular, timely, and predictable attendance

Major Job Responsibilities

• Promote and exhibit positive relationships with students, families, and district staff
• Provide support while promoting social acceptance and positive peer interactions for students with disabilities
• Assist in evaluating the academic and behavioral performance of students
• Provide assistance to any eligible student with a disability when the IEP team determines that additional assistance is necessary to support the student in a lesser restrictive general education classroom or community-based setting
• Implement accommodations and modifications related to classroom activities based on needs identified in the student's IEP
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities
• Promote student independence in learning activities, completing classroom assignments, and interacting with peers
• Promote social acceptance and interaction with general education peers.
• Assist in implementing behavior intervention strategies
• Provide appropriate documentation of related services provided
• Assist in guiding and teaching expected, appropriate student behaviors to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment (PBIS)
• Model appropriate verbal communication to students develop/improve their skills
• Participate in professional learning activities
• Carry out responsibilities with little or no prompting
• And any such duties as assigned

Building and job role assignment for special education paraprofessionals, including LRE, individual student, and program aides, may change based upon student and district needs.

It is the policy of the Watervliet Public Schools that no person shall, on the basis of sex, religion, age, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, weight, height, or handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in employment or any of its programs or activities.