About this role
Special Education Paraprofessional Primary Purpose:
• Help special education teacher provide for physical and instructional needs of students with disabilities in special education and general education setting.
• Assist in implementation of classroom programs, including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs.
• Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.
Qualifications: Education/Certification: High school diploma or GED Special Knowledge/Skills:
• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively Knowledge of general office equipment
Major Responsibilities and Duties: Instructional Support
• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
Student Management
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene. Help manage behavior of students.
• This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students. Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Equipment Used:
• Wheelchair lift, ramp, personal computer, copier, and audiovisual equipment.
Working Conditions:
• Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors
• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; regular heavy lifting of students.
• Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.