1139 - Para-educator Job Decription

#1139 - Paraeducator Job Description

Adopted June 13, 2017

Revised March 14, 2023

Job Summary: 

Paraeducators are paid school employees whose positions are either instructional in nature or provide direct services to students under the supervision of a certified or licensed school professional to function at any assigned school throughout the district. Paraeducators are subject to transfers, reassignments or assignments in any or all schools within the district based on student needs according to Policy #2063.

Qualifications: 

All district paraeducators (paraprofessionals) must have one of the following: 

1. an associate’s degree from an accredited college or pass 
2. a passing score on the paraeducator praxis or a passing score on state approved alternatives to the paraeducator praxis 
3. or have completed 42 college credit hours with an accredited higher education institution

Required:

• Ability to communicate effectively and help others
• Provide appropriate student supervision as assigned
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality on all matters
• Respect and follow director/principal/teacher directives
• Be transparent and resolve conflict in a timely and professional manner
• Avoid undermining and criticizing of colleagues and administration
• Demonstrate support of all school personnel

Ability:

• Support instructional opportunities using strategies to facilitate effective integration into various settings
• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical practices and adhere to the distinctions in the roles and responsibilities of teachers, paraeducators, administrators, families and other team members
• Support a positive learning environment by using proactive management strategies to engage learners
• Communicate effectively and participate in the team process by providing relevant feedback and make recommendations regarding learner performance and programing

Essential Functions (Specific functions may vary by position):

• Provide support to all student learners and/or students with special needs
• Supervise on the playground or bus
• Conduct small group sessions in reading, math and writing
• Work in early childhood programs
• Assist non-English speaking students
• Follow directives and schedules set by supervisor
• Perform other duties as assigned by the directors or principals
• Maintain data records for specific students

Physical requirements (not limited to the following):

• The ability to perform the above listed essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation
• To have or develop the physical, mental and emotional requirements needed for a specific position such as: being able to lift 50 lbs., stand or sit for long periods, deal with behaviors, toileting etc.