Paraeducator - Autism (benefited)

7 hours per day / 198 day work schedule  

WICHITA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

Special Education Instructional Para-Educator

Categorical Self Contained (Intellectual Disability, Autism, Severe Multiple Disabled, Emotionally Disturbed)

Under the supervision of an administrator and direction of a certificated/licensed staff, assist the teacher in the education of students including instructional assistance, organization, record keeping, management of student behavior, classroom safety, communication with students, support staff and parents.

Educational Requirements

Must have 48 college credit hours or pass the ParaPro test or pass the Workkeys test.

Some positions require inservice, training or course work in first aide, symptoms of child abuse, and/or symptoms and signs of illness.  Some positions may require knowledge of various sign language modalities, Braille, NCI (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention) or other special skills.

Characteristics

Students may have cognitive disabilities, communication disabilities and social, behavioral and/or emotional disabilities.  Students served are in need of academic and/or adaptive behavior skills instruction.

Duties and Responsibilities

Any one position may not include all of the listed duties, nor do all of the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions within this classification.

The Classroom Environment

1. Supervise students in class setting as directed by the teacher or other staff.
2. Assist in managing classroom routines and procedures.
3. Assist in the interventions to redirect behavior, assesses crisis situations and intervenes to defuse situations, documents any occurrences, provides feedback to develop positive self-esteem of student.
4. Assist in the implementing of student behavior plan.
5. Assist the teacher in the physical setup of the classroom for group instruction, projects, and activities.
6. Assist the teacher by supervising school activities on or off campus during the course of the instructional day.
7. Assist students to and from assigned areas within the building to facilitate integration efforts.
8. Assist in the integration of technology into the classroom.

Instruction

1. Participate in effective teaming skills, collaboration, conflict resolution and communication.
2. Provide individual and or group instruction which may include regular education students in academic areas after initial instruction by teacher.
3. Be assigned to a regular classroom program where special education students are assigned.
4. Provide feedback to students and teachers.
5. Assist students through the use of questioning and discussion techniques.
6. Assist with student engagement with the curriculum.
7. Exhibit oral and written communication that is clear and expressive.
8. Assist students with self-help, gross motor and social skills.
9. Assist students in using technology.

Planning and Preparation

1. Assist students with the integration into regular education classroom.
2. Evaluate student progress on work assignments and shares information with teacher.
3. Assist the teacher with the designing of instruction and follow through.
4. Assist the teacher in the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP).
5. Assist with scoring tests, keeping records and making reports as required by the teacher.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of district resources.
7. Assist the teacher with planning and implementation of any type of community based instruction.

Professional Responsibilities

1. Maintain high level of confidentiality of information regarding students and staff information and issues.
2. Model appropriate behavior for students.
3. Develop and maintain a professional rapport with classroom teacher and other staff.
4. Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of students, staff, and parents.
5. Communicate with students, parents, instructional and support staff by letter, phone, e-mail, fax or personal contact as directed by the administrator or classroom teacher.
6. Observe and chart student behavior and assist in discipline of student as instructed by the teacher.
7. Demonstrate the ability to prioritize and organize.
8. Attend and participate in staff meetings, PLCs and parent conferences as required.
9. Acquire a minimum of 20 hours of inservice annually. (Paras are encouraged to take    advantage of inservices provided by the building or district.)
10. Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness.
11. Assist students to and from buses and assisting the drivers until departure time.
12. Assist in the transportation of students.
13. Assist in caring for student’s medical needs when under the direct supervision of the school nurse or other appropriate professional.
14. Accept the responsibility for travel between buildings and assignments when necessary.
15. Assist students with basic needs including but not limited to self care, hygiene, feeding, (may include tube feeding), toileting, diapering, dressing and physical transfers.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

1. Be able to work in various weather conditions.
2. Be able to react immediately to an emergency situation for the safety and welfare of the students and staff, which may include the use of physical restraint technique.
3. Be able to walk long distances, stand for long periods, bend, twist, balance, stoop, climb steps and reach overhead.
4. Posses the manual dexterity, physical ability and stamina for a full day of physical activity.
5. Be able to work 5 days a week up to 7 hours per day, or as assigned.
6. Be able to see and hear well.
7. Be able to lift and carry 100 pounds or more with assistance.