Description
POSITION: Preschool Instructional Paraprofessional: Our Preschool Program is housed at Grandview Elementary, Tozer Primary and Skyview Elementary. 173 days per year and is currently open and hours can range between 13 and 26 hours per week depending on whether applicant works morning, afternoon or both. Morning and afternoon classes available. Must be deemed highly qualified by education or by passing the Work Keys assessment after hire. These positions are not benefited.
SALARY RANGE 6: $14.68 - $17.90 per hour based on work experience.
Assist regular and/or special education teachers in obtaining educational goals for students and maintaining a safe and comfortable environment conducive to learning. Reinforce curriculum, activities, and/or skills with small group of students or one-on-one, and collaborate with teacher to implement lesson plans and/or to determine appropriate modifications and/or accommodations for individual students. Supervise students in various school locations and activities. Supervise student behavior and safety, and implement discipline and emergency procedures as needed. May assist teacher with clerical and organizational duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Reinforce curriculum, activities, and skills with small groups of students or one-on-one by tutoring, instructing, demonstrating/modeling, explaining assignments, creating opportunities for cognitive and motor development, administering tests, utilizing adaptive learning and communication equipment, and/or adapting assignments to student capabilities.
• Supervise student behavior and safety in the classroom, in the lunchroom, on the playground, on field trips, in crosswalks, getting on and off the bus, and/or between classes. Implement appropriate discipline and emergency procedures as needed.
• Regularly assist with student health and hygiene needs as required, including administering basic first aid, diapering, toileting, dressing, and/or feeding. Encourage good hygiene habits and encourage students to be self-sufficient in these areas, as appropriate.
• Primarily, but not always exclusively, assigned to the high needs or self-contained classroom within the school site.
• May be primary supervisor of student within non-school settings
• Regularly assists with transfer/movement of students within building.
• May be subject to extensive aggressive and non-compliant behavior from special needs student
• Observe student cognitive and/or motor skills, development, and/or behavior and communicate findings to teacher.
• Collaborate with teacher to implement lesson plans and/or to determine appropriate modifications and/or accommodations for individual students.
• May assist teacher with clerical and/or organizational duties, including grading assignments, making copies, laminating, completing paperwork, word processing, assembling bulletin boards and teaching tools, organizing classroom supplies and activity centers, and/or cleaning play areas.
• Attend staff, team, and/or IEP meetings as needed.
• Location of assignment may vary each year depending on needs of district and students, as defined by Special Education Director.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
High school diploma or equivalent. Related education beyond high school would be beneficial. Instructional aides who provide instructional support for students in Title I programs shall have completed at least two years' study at an institution of higher education or obtained an Associate's Degree; or demonstrate through a formal assessment approved by the District the knowledge and ability to assist in instructing reading/language arts, writing and mathematics or reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness.
EXPERIENCE:
1 year of experience in child development, working with children, and/or working in a classroom environment.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT:
Strong interpersonal skills. Good English language and communication skills. Proficient reading, writing, and math skills. Ability and willingness to work with children from diverse backgrounds and with various abilities and challenges. Knowledge of child development, behavioral management, and age-appropriate instructional techniques preferred. Basic operating knowledge of office equipment and personal computers may be required at hire; required within one month after hire. Operating knowledge of various adaptive equipment (e.g., electronic wheelchair, dynavox, braces, lifts, etc.) also may be required within one month after hire.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS:
CPR, First Aid and CPI certifications are required and may be obtained after hiring.
If hired, applicant must have a physical signed by a physician and receive current TB immunization as well as being current on all other immunizations as deemed necessary by the State of Colorado.
SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Supervise and monitor students in various school settings. Spend up to 100% of time supervising/instructing students. Act as a resource for the teacher by assisting with classroom activities and curriculum and relieving him/her of clerical/organizational work. Act as a resource for students by reinforcing curriculum, maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for learning, assisting with special needs, and assisting with acceptance and integration into all schools environments.
JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING:
Work is assigned by regular education and/or special education teacher(s), Principal, occupational therapists, and/or speech therapists. This position requires strong judgment, organizational skills, and general knowledge of child development and/or challenges. Additionally, this position requires the ability to follow teacher instructions, lesson plans, and policies and procedures to appropriately reinforce and/or adapt curriculum and environmental situations; to discipline students; to manage behavior; and to ensure the safety, comfort, and health of students. Work is guided by federal, state, and District laws, policies, and procedures and student challenges and/or abilities. Decision making may require collaboration with teacher(s), Principal, therapists, parents, staff, and/or coworkers. Supervisor is occasionally involved in decision making.
SAFETY TO SELF AND OTHERS:
May have high exposure to hernia and/or repetitive motion/stress due to lifting students and/or moving students with adaptive equipment. Moderate to high exposure to self to disease due to working with sick or injured students and/or handling body fluids. Low to medium exposure to self to bruises and cuts due to typical classroom accidents, emotionally charged students, and/or operating and moving adaptive equipment (e.g., wheelchairs). Low to high exposure to students to bruises, cuts, fractured bones, and/or disease if a person in this position fails to maintain a safe learning environment, provide adequate supervision, respond quickly to hazardous situations, and/or follow medical/health protocols.
The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
(Physical demands may vary based on the assignment.) While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell. The employee may frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee may occasionally assist with the transfer of students or equipment that is weight bearing with proper training. Lifting or moving more than 50 pounds will require additional assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
(Work environment may vary based on the assignment.) While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently be exposed to moving mechanical parts (e.g., adaptive equipment). The employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
MENTAL FUNCTIONS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, coordinate, instruct, and use interpersonal skills. Frequently required to analyze, evaluate, and negotiate. Occasionally required to copy, compute, compile, and synthesize.
BENEFITS: Weld RE-4 School District offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as other programs for benefit-eligible employees. In addition, 401(k), 403(b) & 457(b) plans are available to all employees regardless of hours worked and are available immediately (upon hire date). Paid leave is provided based on the employee's benefit eligibility status and work calendar. To learn more about our benefits, please see the benefit schedule on our website HERE