Description
SPED Para II Vision Paraeducator
Non-contract, no benefits
Hours per day: 5.8 hours
Hourly rate: $17.07 starting, with the option to advance to $18.19 with additional training and having worked as a special education paraeducator in Alpine School District for at least 90 work days.
Number of Openings: We are currently seeking to fill three paraeducator positions. We look forward to welcoming compassionate and skilled employees to our team who will contribute to the success and independence of our students.
Hiring Administrator Contact Information:
- Name: Zach Eagar
- Phone: 801-610-8208
- Email: zeagar@alpinedistrict.org
Job Description:
The job of SpEd Para II Vision Paraeducator is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program under the direction of a certified teacher of students with visual impairments (TSVI) with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in self-contained classroom settings across multiple school locations; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during instructional and non-instructional time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel.
Essential Functions:
- Support braille instruction to students who are blind or have visual impairments under the direction of a certified teacher.
- Instruct students in the use of visual assistive technologies and devices.
- Assist certified teachers in training or following-up with school staff members in the use of assistive technologies and devices as requested.
- Provide individualized support and adaptations based on student needs.
- Collaborate with teachers, specialists, and parents to implement services as outlined in individualized education programs (IEPs).
- Assist in adapting classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives and IEP goals.
- Collect data for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom and preparing reports and/or processing forms.
- Communicate with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
- Under the supervision of the assigned teacher, implement behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts and acquiring appropriate social and school skills.
- Maintain instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; providing written reference; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
- Under the supervision of the assigned teacher, provide instruction to students in a variety of individual and/or group activities for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; and ensuring students success in school.
- Attend meetings and other job specific training presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
- Where needed, administer immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g. medication, etc.) for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs.
- Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
- Qualifications:
- 16+ years old.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Job related experience is desired, particularly experience working with individuals who are blind or have visual impairments.
- Knowledge of braille or willingness to learn braille through available training resources (see “Braille Training Resources” section below).
- Familiarity of or willingness to learn the function of visual assistive technologies and devices.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to adapt teaching methods to meet diverse student needs.
- Ability to use computer and/or tablet devices.
- Reliable means of transportation between school sites.
Mileage Reimbursement
- As this position requires travel between multiple schools to serve students, mileage for travel between schools and other work-related sites is reimbursed.
Braille Training Resources:
You might feel nervous about learning braille, but did you know that braille is actually a code, not a language? It’s easier than you might think because you already know the English language. You just need to learn how to represent it using various combinations of raised dots representing the alphabet, words, punctuation and numbers.
To support the learning of braille, many free resources are available. Some free options offer the opportunity to pay for certificates of completion; however, such certificates are not required for employment. Note: The Alpine School District does not endorse any particular program nor is it affiliated with any program. The following programs are listed as a courtesy to applicants for assistance in finding resources to learn braille. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with the applicant to find a suitable program that fits their needs and schedule. Applicants assume all costs related to any program they choose, including any optional payment for certificates associated with program completion.
UEB Online: This is a widely used resource for online braille instruction. Participants need to register, but registration is free. While optional payment options are available for completion certificates, these certificates are not required for employment.
Website: https://uebonline.org/getting-started/ueb-literacy-program/
Hadley: Offers free braille workshops and tutorials that help individuals learn braille by sight or touch.
Website: https://hadleyhelps.org/learn?topic_id=15
Other resources are available on the Paths to Literacy website, a collaborative venture between Perkins School for the Blind and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI).
Website: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/free-online-resources-learn-braille/