Strong Beginnings PreK Paraeducator (3-4 years old)

Detroit Public Schools Community District; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 51,148,000 - 57,859,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits Eligible

Job summary

Detroit Public Schools Community District in Detroit is seeking a Strong Beginnings PreK Paraeducator (3-4 years old) at Bennett Elementary. The role provides classroom assistance and supports teachers to facilitate student learning.

Salary is $17.85/hr, with a focus on safety, engagement, and collaboration with families and staff. The position requires a high school diploma or GED with 60 college credits or equivalent test scores; CDA or an associate degree in early childhood is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED and 60 college credits, or passing scores on WorkKeys or para pro tests.
• CDA or Associate Degree in Early Childhood/Preschool Education or 2 college credits with plan to complete the CDA/Associate within two years.
• Experience with children aged 3–5 or 6–12 helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with students, families, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-classroom assistance to students and teacher to support learning.
• Engage in small groups for reading aloud and direct instruction as directed by teacher.
• Supervise students and maintain a safe, welcoming environment for all.
• Assist with documentation and data entry into Teaching Strategies GOLD and other systems.

Skills

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Student engagement

Education

High School Diploma or GED

60 college credits

WorkKeys/basic skills or para pro

CDA or Associate Degree in Early Childhood/Preschool Education

2 college credits in Child Development

Job description

Job Title

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Strong Beginnings PreK Paraeducator (3-4 years old)

Location: Bennett Elementary

Salary: $17.85/hr

Reports to: Principal or Designee

Bargaining Unit: Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals (DFP)

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: School-based. Not eligible for telecommuting.

Position Summary

In accordance with the agreement between the Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals and the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit, the following vacancy is announced:

The Strong Beginnings PreK Paraeducator provides in-classroom assistance to both students and the teacher to help facilitate student learning in the school environment. Strong Beginnings Paraeducators play a key role in helping teachers deliver high-quality student instruction.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess and provide evidence of a High School Diploma or GED certification; and 60 credit hours from an accredited institution; or passing scores on the WorkKeys basic skills or para pro assessment tests.
• Child Development Associate credential (CDA) or Associate Degree in Early Childhood/Preschool Education or Child Development; or at least (2) college credits in Child Development along with a plan of work to complete the course requirements to earn an Associate or a CDA within two years.
• Experience working with children, especially 3-5-year-olds or 6-12-year-olds helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with students, families, and staff.

Essential Functions

• Provide excellent customer service to students, staff, parents, visitors, and the community to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.
• Greet students, staff, parents, visitors, and the community.
• Engage respectfully in tone, body language, and verbal communication with students, staff, parents, families, visitors, and the community.
• Maintain professionalism in conversations about children and families, preserving confidentiality and privacy.
• Actively engage and provide instructional support for students during all parts of the classroom daily routine and schedule, under the direction of the teacher:
• Facilitates small groups of students for activities such as reading aloud, direct instruction in core content areas, planning and recall time, and other learning opportunities directed by the teacher.
• Facilitates and supports whole-class activities and large group meetings.
• Remains alert to children experiencing academic, social-emotional, or behavioral challenges and provides proactive and reactive support as needed.
• Engages in active supervision strategies as outlined by Michigan Child Care Licensing, GSRP, and Creative Curriculum
• Understands the goals of the PreK Strong Beginnings program and collaborates with teachers to meet specific safety requirements and learning expectations established for students.
• Consult regularly with the teacher to implement lesson plans and share observations of student progress.
• Meets with the teacher, daily or weekly to review lessons, plan, and prepare daily activities.
• Collect and record anecdotal notes on students daily and assist teachers with entering data into Teaching Strategies GOLD (3 times per year)
• Assist the classroom teacher with maintaining accurate documentation of Child Care Licensing requirements.
• Complete a portion of home visits alongside or on behalf of the lead teacher, support field trips, and any other out-of-classroom learning opportunities.
• Actively engage and lead students during all daily interactions, i.e., all parts of the classroom daily routine and schedule- under the teacher's direction.
• Observe students during choice time and offer redirection or logistical support as needed.
• Supervise student outside time per Strong Beginnings and LARA Childcare Licensing guidelines.
• Engage in children¿s play and conversations.
• Engage in active supervision practices as outlined by Michigan Childcare Licensing
• Assist with program implementation including needed accommodations to the daily routine, behavior challenges, and family communication for children with IEPs when special education staff are not present.
• Follow up with children¿s individual plans, scaffold, and extend children¿s learning as needed.
• Work alongside the classroom Teacher and Classroom Aide in providing strong beginnings student toileting support. If no Classroom Aide support is available, manage toileting responsibilities and support for students, including Following Child Care Licensing diapering procedures.
• Assist students with any additional rest time preparation as needed.
• Assist with, and participate in, family-style meal service:
• Supervise students for safety.
• Model healthy eating habits.
• Engage in conversations with children throughout mealtimes.
• Clean and sanitize toys and materials as needed using the 3-step process.
• Support enrollment process as needed.
• Complete mandatory LARA Child Care Licensing training within the required time frame upon time of hire, including:
• Strong Beginnings Orientation
• Infant, Adult, Child CPR
• Prevention of Infectious Diseases
• SIDS & Safe Sleep
• Shaken Baby/Abusive Head Trauma/Child Maltreatment/Reporting Abuse & Neglect
• 90-day Trainings
• Administration of medication.
• Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions.
• Building and physical premises safety.
• Emergency preparedness and response planning.
• Handling and storage of hazardous materials and appropriate disposal of bio-contaminants.
• Precautions in transporting children, if applicable.
• Child development.
• Obtain 24 hours of Professional Development and training per school year (LARA Child Care Licensing trainings above count towards Professional Development hours)
• Create and maintain a current and accurate MiRegistry profile.
• Obtain a foundational understanding of Creative Curriculum and its implementation through participation in available districtwide professional development opportunities related to job description.
• In the event a District sub is unavailable, provide sub coverage for teachers (and receive substitute compensation).
• Perform all other assignments as requested by the classroom teacher, school administrator, and as outlined by the PreK curriculum, Strong Beginnings Implementation Manual, and District processes and procedures.

Security Clearance

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method Of Application

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at [phone].

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at [phone] or detroitk12.org/compliance.