Substitute Paraprofessional

Cleveland Metropolitan School District; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A public school district in Ohio seeks a paraprofessional to support students in their academic and social development. Key responsibilities include assisting teachers, managing student behaviors, and maintaining a structured classroom environment. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and meet criteria for being Highly Qualified. Experience with special education is preferred, along with effective communication skills and a genuine interest in serving children and the community. This position demands physical capability and adaptability to various student needs.

Qualifications

• Must be highly qualified with an Associates Degree or passing the Para Pro Assessment.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with handicapped students is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher in adapting to individual student needs.
• Support students in meeting their social and academic goals.
• Monitor and record specific student behaviors.
• Help prepare classroom materials and assist in daily routines.

Skills

Classroom management techniques

Communication skills

Ability to assist with personal care

Ability to manage emotions

Education

High school diploma or GED

Related college education courses preferred

Associates Degree or relevant college hours

Eligibility for Ohio Educational Aide Permit

Job description

**INTRODUCTION: CONTEXT AND MISSION**The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) serves approximately 37,000 students in 100+ schools. Over the past several years, the Greater Cleveland community has united behind the collective goal of ensuring every child in Cleveland attends a high-quality school and every neighborhood has a multitude of great schools from which families can choose. The Cleveland Plan defines CMSD’s approach to the reinvention of public education and holds our community accountable for the success of Cleveland’s schoolchildren. The Cleveland Plan is supported by Ohio House Bill 525, which provides much-needed flexibility and autonomy for the district and its schools. Our schools have autonomy over human and financial resources in exchange for accountability forperformance. The principal has primary responsibility and accountability for establishing his or her school as a high-quality, high-expectations academic center with a focus on personalized instruction, professional support for teachers, and school-wide practices that lead to measurable results.The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has developed standards of excellence that the district applies to all parts of the organization inclusive of schools, principals, school leadership teams, networks, and central office. Alignment between Standards of Excellence (SoE) and the district’s Theory of Action helps ensure that principals are able to focus on scholar achievement and that central office supports are timely and effective. **Our Vision for Learning in a Post-Pandemic World:** In our pursuit of a more fair, just, and good system of education, we want each of our learners, both each of our scholars and each of their educators, to be individually and collectively presented with academically / intellectually complex tasks that are worthy of their productive struggle and allow them authentic opportunities to demonstrate their work and their learning of academic content and transferable skills in a joyful and adventurous environment. **THE OPPORTUNITY:*** Becomes familiar with District initiatives including but not limited to The Cleveland Plan, Academic Achievement Plans, etc.* Adapts to the individual social emotional and academic needs of the students* Respects and disciplines students through preventative, proactive, dignified classroom management techniques that reflect structure, equity, and consistency* Observes and supports students as directed by the teacher and records specific behaviors exhibited as outlined on each student's IEP* Reinforces students as directed by the teacher in areas which might include academic tasks, social skills or other instructional components of the program* Assists the teacher in the implementation of behavior management programs* Provides information to teacher regarding student performance during these activities* Identifies, locates and uses materials appropriate for each student* Assists and monitors the students in special training activities, such as showering, and other self-help skills* Records academic and social progress as required by the teacher* Assists the teacher in preparing, collecting, adapting, and maintenance of equipment, supplies, or materials* Assists teacher with physical intervention of behavior issues* Performs other routine duties as assigned by principal* Participates as a member of a team* High school diploma or GED required; related college education courses preferred* Paraprofessionals must meet one of the following to be Highly Qualified: Associates Degree or a minimum of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours or successfully passing the Para Pro Assessment* Possess or be eligible for an Ohio Educational Aide Permit required* High moral character* Genuine interest in children/youth* Desire to serve the school and community* Evidence of good health, vitality and enthusiasm* Ability to physically manage handicapped students* Effective written and oral communication* Experience working with handicapped students preferred**Physical Requirements** * ### Walking, Sitting or standing for extended periods of time* ### Ability to quickly trail any student that elopes* ### Moderate lifting from 15-35 pounds* ### Moving of various items like wheelchairs or other mechanical devices – up to 30 pounds* ### Manual dexterity to use for items like classroom and building equipment and supplies* ### Bending, kneeling, twisting or stooping and other movements as required to ensure safety of scholars* ### Ability to write legibly* ### Vision (Near, Color, Depth Perception)* ### Sense of Sound (Ability to hear fire alarms, bells, and PA system)* ### Sense of Touch* ### Ability to speak clearly and distinctly* ### Able to work near students and other staffThe ability to work with students and adults displaying a variety of emotions including, but not limited to, joy, happiness, sorrow, fear, anger and aggression in controlled, uncontrolled and unpredictable situations.