Special Education Paraprofessional

POSITION TITLE : Paraprofessional (Special Education)

REPORTS TO : Supervising Teacher, Principal or his / her designee

QUALIFICATIONS :

High School Diploma or GED and passing score on one of the paraprofessional assessments

Two or more years of college. or passing score on one of the paraprofessional assessments

within the first calendar year of employment or 60 semester hours of completed college course work

• Possess Georgia Paraprofessional Certificate
• Physically able to perform assigned duties
• Acceptable criminal background check

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Ability to relate to and work with students and adults in a positive manner, to work cooperatively with colleagues, to follow written and verbal instructions, to perform clerical tasks, to plan and organize, to be flexible and to maintain confide,ntiality.

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, Basic English and mathematics skills, basic knowledge of technology and ability to apply knowledge to assigned areas of responsibility, and knowledge of operation of office and audio-visual equipment.

In some cases assistants may work with special needs students, in which cases such assistants may be required to possess additional skills and training in providing for the specific physical needs of such students.

JOB GOAL : To assist, support and work closely with teachers, administrators, and other team members in providing a quality instructional program for students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Work Habits / Ethics
• Observes assigned work
• Maintains a pattern of prompt and regular
• Follows the daily schedule as
• Adjusts to work assignments and / or schedule
• Confidentiality is maintained at all
• Complies with all local, state and federal regulations and

B. Performance Responsibilities

• Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced and outlined by the
• Provides extra assistance to students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and / or mental disabilities.

Monitors students and redirects off task students. Also assists with observing, recording and charting student behaviors and charting behavioral responses in the classroom.

The paraprofessional will report any unusual changes in behavior to their

• Assists as directed by the teacher in the effort to successfully maintain students with special needs in an integrated setting, as determined by the IEP team and supports implementation of accommodations in the
• Assists the teacher in preparing materials and equipment for direct instructional activity, including locating, copying, collating, distributing and / or grouping materials to support instructional activities planned by the
• Assists with bulletin boards and decorations for instructional purposes and for special
• Supervises students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Performs assigned non-instructional classroom duties, such as snack time, toileting, and clothing
• Serves as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned to the
• Attends staff meetings, and serves on committees as
• Performs other duties as assigned by the teacher, principal or his / her
• Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in school environment and
• Maintains a cooperative working relationship with principal, supervising teacher, students, parents, staff and

C. Training and Experience

• Participates in professional learning activities which align with school improvement
• Participates in staff development opportunities provided by the
• Demonstrates initiative in learning new

D. Personal Qualities

• Demonstrates a positive attitude toward work
• Accepts responsibility for the work
• Maintains appropriate appearance and personal
• Accepts constructive
• Exhibits patience and kindness with

For a variety of reasons, Paraprofessionals should not perform the following tasks :

• Design or develop instruction
• Develop lesson plans
• Determine student grades
• Conduct formal assessments

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

EVALUATION : Performance evaluation is ongoing. Annual evaluation completed by Principal or his / her designee.