Primary Purpose: 

The Special Education Paraprofessional’s primary responsibility is to support the school’s special education program students in meeting academic and social/emotional goals.  The Paraprofessional provides services to students both in a self-contained setting or a classroom inclusion setting.  The Paraprofessional ensures appropriate documents related to special education services are successfully implemented in the instructional setting (e.g. accommodation/ modification requirements set by the ARD committee) by ensuring the classroom teacher fully understands the documents.  The Paraprofessional also provides instructional small group or one-on-one support to identified students during the independent practice portion of a classroom lesson and through a co-teach model.  The Paraprofessional assists the Special Education teacher in preparing documents needed for an ARD meeting.  The Paraprofessional also assists the SpEd teacher with providing teachers with needed professional development support, especially for new teachers.   

 Education/Certification

• 48 college hours 
• Paraprofessional certification required (will be obtained upon hire)
• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• At least one year of paraprofessional experience preferred

 Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Working knowledge of working with special needs students
• Understanding of an inclusion and self-contained model of instruction
• Ability to implement policy and procedures associated with special education requirements
• Ability to interpret data
• Ability to work with community contracted partners in supporting special education programming
• Demonstrate a passion for and commitment to EPLA’s mission and educational model
• Strong organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and a “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude

Preference(s):

• Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Responsibilities and Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Assists with the development of ARD paperwork
• Assists with the instructional delivery of content in both a self-contained and inclusion classroom
• Provides small-group and/or one-on-one support to students based on their identified annual goals
• Ensuring classroom teachers are appropriately implementing student accommodations/modifications
• Maintaining a log of contact hours with each student assigned
• Completing and submitting weekly time-sheets to the Dean of Special Services or APSS; whichever is applicable
• EPLA Mission Driven: shares a sense of responsibility in ensuring the district’s core values __ CRSHH __ are modeled and practiced by all staff and students
• Is willing to do whatever it takes to get the work done right.
• Inspires scholars, families, staff, and others to believe in and reflect the school’s mission, high expectations and values.
• Demonstrates a high level of professional maturity including emotional constancy in stressful situations, ability to bring out the best in others, a solution seeker, and acts as a positive force to motivate others.
• Strategically manages tasks and time, is well-organized, and is detail-oriented.
• Supports a school culture that is centered on core values that ultimately deeply cares for each student and staff member and holds each student and staff member to the highest level of accountability.
• Exhibits professionalism in all interactions with campus stakeholders
• Attends professional development activities that supports job effectiveness and instructional delivery systems
• Assists with supporting SpEd students during the summer extension program as needed
• Additional duties as assigned.

Equipment Used:

Personal vehicle, Computer, copier, telephone, and other like equipment applicable to position

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders.