Paraprofessional - Instructional -Young 5s presso Kentwood Public School District

Schedule:  5.75 hours/day, 5 days/week, 38 weeks/year

Position Purpose:  Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, the paraprofessional is responsible for working as a team member to assist with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals
and objectives.  This person will also have a role in certain non-instructional and concept/skill reinforcement tasks and providing students the opportunity for additional adult/student relationships.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills. • 
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance

Additional Duties:

• Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.
• Includes playground/lunchroom supervision.

Note:   The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Travel Requirements:  Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in an economically, culturally and racially diverse environment.

Qualifications:

• Two years of study at an institution of higher learning (equal to 60 credits) OR Obtain an associate's degree (or higher) OR Pass an approved formal state academic assessment.  
• Prior experience working with students with diverse learning needs.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:  

• Ada Requirements:  The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described 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:   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment), taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.
• Work Environment:  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate.  
• Mental Functions:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt