JOB DESCRIPTION - EDUCATION AIDE/PARAPROFESSIONAL

JOB DESCRIPTION - EDUCATION AIDE/PARAPROFESSIONAL

po1400.10Adopted January 1, 2002Revised August 15, 2024

1400.10 - JOB DESCRIPTION – EDUCATION AIDE/PARAPROFESSIONAL

Position:                      Education Aide/Paraprofessional

Reports to:                  Classroom Teacher, Building Principal and/or Special Education

Director Employment Status: As assigned on a board-approved contract

Description: An Educational Aide/Paraprofessional is an employee who assists and supports teachers primarily engaged in direct instruction with one or more pupils for instructional activities, physical or behavior management, or other purposes, under the direction of a licensed teacher.

NOTE: The below list is not ranked in order of importance

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  1. Ensure the safety of students, including the ability to demonstrate proper CPI restraints with appropriate paperwork, taking all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to follow teacher instructions while conferring and collaborating with them around student schedules, instructional goals, assessments, and performance while following the laws of confidentiality.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to be a positive role model within the context of written policies of the district.
  4. Perform duties in a manner that demonstrates the ability to separate personal issues from one's employment responsibilities.
  5. Demonstrate skills necessary to work as an effective team member, such as; basic communication skills, understanding of roles, listening strategies with students and staff, and ways to deal with conflict.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the distinctions between the roles and responsibilities of Educational Aide/Paraprofessionals, and support personnel.
  7. Demonstrate sensitivity to the beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures and how these impact relationships between children, families, and schooling.
  8. Effectively demonstrate knowledge about the laws protecting the rights of students and parents and how it relates to written plans and to their role as an Educational Aide/Paraprofessional.
  9. Demonstrate an awareness of a child's disability (needs) and the impact the disability can have on learning and achievement.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to collect and record performance data, including implementing a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) and prescribed behavior strategies, on students under the direction of a licensed teacher, while respecting confidentiality and the laws regarding ethical practices of assessment demonstrate the ability to follow the oral and written direction of licensed teachers, seeking clarification as needed.
  11. Demonstrate the ability to assist in adapting instructional strategies and materials, including adaptive equipment and other technology according to the needs of the student under the direction of a licensed teacher.
  12. Effectively communicate and implement best practices in identifying learning styles, establishing classroom rules and procedures, and maintaining rapport with students.
  13. Demonstrate the ability to implement strategies that promote student independence in various settings.
  14. Collaborate with the educational team on meeting student needs.
  15. Supervise and monitor students in all settings.
  16. Demonstrate an awareness of the primary factors that influence student behavior.
  17. Demonstrate the ability to collect objective information on student behavior to be provided to a licensed teacher.
  18. Has an understanding and can demonstrate a variety of strategies that reinforce positive behavior.
  19. Demonstrate the ability to support, reinforce, and practice effective instructional strategies that complement the instructional plans of the licensed teacher.
  20. Promote good public relations within the work setting (e.g. personal appearance, positive attitude, and conversation).
  21. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the district.
  22. Serve as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as citizens and as responsible, intelligent human beings.
  23. Help instill in students the belief in and practice of ethical principles and democratic values
  24. Assist students with total care, including proper personal care, hygiene (i.e. brushing teeth, deodorant, feminine needs, changing diapers, etc.), and the ability to transition students throughout various locations of the school environment.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Develop a familiarity with the school district assigned
  2. Engage in the school community and serve as a vital member of the building-level instructional team
  3. Attend district and/or MVESC meetings and professional development opportunities to support educational programming
  4. Attend district parent-teacher conferences
  5. Complete other work assignments as requested by the teacher, building principal, or Special Education Director
  6. Attend meetings and professional development opportunities as requested
  7. Other duties as assigned by the teacher, building principal, or Special Education Director

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. High school diploma or GED
  2. Valid Ohio Educational Aide Permit
  3. Meet NCLB requirements for Educational Aide/Paraprofessional status
  4. Successful completion of BCI/FBI background checks

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  1. Ability to work effectively with others
  2. Ability to communicate ideas and follow directives both orally and in writing
  3. Effective, active listening skills
  4. Organizational and problem-solving skills

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:

Typical school technology as well as assistive technology (e.g., communication devices, etc.)

ADDITIONAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

  1. Occasional interaction among unruly children
  2. Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue
  3. Occasional requirement to travel, e.g., field trips
  4. Frequent requirement to stand, walk, talk, hear, see, read, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, stoop and crouch
  5. Basic classroom management skills
  6. Basic knowledge of student needs/subject matter

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

An Educational Aide/Paraprofessional for Southern Local Schools will be evaluated by the Building Principal or Special Education Director in accordance with the procedures identified by law and including the standards established by the organization. The employee will be given a copy of the evaluation instrument and standards in advance and he or she will be expected to conduct a self-evaluation and establish a minimum of one goal annually to advance knowledge, skill and/or ability in a job-related area.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: In accordance with Board-issued contract.

** Southern Local School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, age, sex, or disabilities.**

Southern Local School District Board of Education adoption date: 8/15/2024

This job description in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the position incumbent.  The incumbent will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the superintendent.

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Superintendent/Designee                                          Date