SPED Preschool Instructional Paraprofessional @ Cottonwood Elementary en West Valley School District

7 Hours a Day/5 Days a Week (Monday-Thursday preschool, Friday resource room)

The job of instructional paraprofessional is done for the purpose of assisting in the supervision
and instruction of students, monitoring students in a variety of different settings (classroom,
playground, cafeteria, library, bus loading, field trips, etc.) and providing general support to the
assigned certificated teacher(s).
Directly Responsible to: Classroom teacher and building principal
Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications
The ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act requires that all Washington State
Paraprofessionals MUST have a High School Diploma or GED and at least ONE of the
following requirements:
2 year post-secondary degree or more
72 quarter credits at a post-secondary school
Passed ETS Paraprofessional Assessment
Bilingual Preferred
Essential Functions
Assist students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities assigned
by the teacher for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts and
reaching their academic goals and potential.
Follows a structured teaching and learning plan.
Carries out direct instruction tutoring.
Assists students in their understanding of whole group instruction.
Guides independent work.
Provides students with practice on identified skills areas.
Incorporates IEP requirements within students’ daily lesson plans as directed by the
teacher.
Maintains records and charts indicating students’ progress.
Informs classroom teacher of students’ progress.
Maintains classroom equipment, work areas, students files/records (e.g. adapting
instructional materials, cleaning work area, taking attendance, checking homework,
grading papers, audio visual equipments, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of
items and/or providing reliable information.
Assists teacher in monitoring student behavior and disciplines students as authorized.
Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom,
playground, cafeteria, library, halls, to/from bus, field trips, in-house detention, etc.) for
the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
Teaches and reinforces appropriate behavior with students.
Restrains students from harming themselves or others.
Performs record keeping and clerical functions (copying, laminating, correcting papers,
phone calls, scheduling activities, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or
in providing necessary records/materials.
May be required to provide detailed one-to-one assistance with changing, diapering,
personal hygiene, etc.
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May be required to assist students with feeding and administer tube feeding.
Mainstreams students in general education settings as requested.
Serves as the chief source of information and help to substitute teachers with assigned
students.
Attends meetings and trainings as requested.
Fulfills other related duties as assigned. This may include riding the school bus before and/or after school.
Other Functions
Be willing to drive students to school and community settings in district vehicle
Be willing to add temporary bus riding hours as needed pay for on an extra hours form.
Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
Utilizes reasonable and professional judgment.
Observes and utilizes professional medical/safety precautions to include positioning
children in a safe and secure manner in adaptive equipment and transferring
orthopedically disabled children to and from different equipment including toilets.
Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and
effective work environment.
Be trained in Right Response De-Escalation and Restraint and keep certification updated
yearly.
Working Relationships
Communicates regularly with students, parents/guardians, and teaching staff. Required to deal
with a wide range of student behaviors; required to deal with a wide range of physical and
emotional disabilities; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students.
Working Conditions
The daily work is performed in a classroom setting. May be required to work outdoors in
inclement weather; participate in daily physical education classes; take several brisk walks per
day; lift, move, and position students and equipment; supervise the playground, bus
loading/unloading; attend to students’ personal hygiene; may be exposed to biting, spitting, and
hitting behavior; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids and
cleaning or disinfecting compounds; required to work in non-routine positions for extended
periods.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to
meet changing job conditions. Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of
the job include: tutoring individual and/or groups of students; following a structured teaching and
learning plan; operating standard office equipment and maintaining accurate records.
KNOWLEDGE is required to assure proper conduct of students; maintain record keeping systems,
utilize technology equipment; perform high school level math, read a variety of manuals;
present information to others; understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.
Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: concepts
of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles.
ABILITY is required to identify and adjust to individual student’s needs; be innovative and
improvise to meet changing situations; understand and communicate effectively; understand
and carry out oral and written instructions; be flexible to accommodate changing schedules;
ability to squat, bend, and walk without limitations; schedule activities; collate data, and use
basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of
circumstances; operate equipment using standardized methods; work with a wide diversity of
individuals; Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; and working as
part of a team.
Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized routines; providing
information and/or advising others; and operating within a defined budget.
Working Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following
physical demands: occasional lifting (able to lift 50 pounds and assisting in lifting over 50
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pounds), carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling;
and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 34% sitting, 33% walking, and
33% standing. The job related is performed under a generally hazard free environment and in a
clean atmosphere.
Experience
Job related experience is desired. Previous experience working with students who have autism
is preferred.
Continuing Education/Training
CPR Certificate and First Aid Certificate may be required
Work Schedule
6.5 hours per day. 4 days a week.

Healthcare Benefits (SEBB): (All Employees who work 630 hours per school year are eligible.)

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability

Additional Benefits:

• Washington State Retirement (PERS, SERS & TERS)
• Paid Leave:

  - Paid Holiday (260-day employees and bargaining groups that have holidays included within their CBA)

  - Sick Leave

  - Personal Leave

  - Vacation (260-day employees only)

  - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)