POSITION DESCRIPTION

AREA: Paraeducator (Special Education) $16.65 per hour

REPORTS TO: Principal/Director of Educational Services

Whitefish School District seeks a Paraeducator (special education) to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. Whitefish Public Schools mission focuses on cultivating and supporting a community that engages students to succeed in continuous learning, career and citizenship. In Whitefish Schools we believe:

• Whitefish Schools provide a foundation for developing responsible citizens, an evolving workforce and an informed democracy.
• It is our responsibility to support and motivate all students to learn in environments based in rigor, relevance and relationships.
• Teaching and learning occurs most effectively in a collaborative process, driven and inspired by students and teachers, with a focus on learning.
• Community and school collaboration develops mutual respect and strong relationships.

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT:

Provides assistance to administrative and instructional personnel in teaching and promoting a positive learning, working environment. Performs a variety of instructional activities; assists in the conduct of training and learning activities with children experiencing special learning needs; performs a variety of routine clerical and supportive activities for instructional personnel; and performs other related work as assigned. Assists special education teacher, students with special needs, and accompanies students to classes as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful experience as Title I, Special Education, or general school paraeducator
• Successful experience in working with children
• Two years of college coursework in education or related field.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

• Monitors and supervises students as assigned.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates student progress.
• Assists special education students in all areas including academic, social-emotional,personal, hygiene or medical needs as assigned.
• Assists instructional personnel with the presentation of learning materials and in the conduct of instructional exercises.
• Provides remedial instruction as prescribed by I.E.P. and/or lead teacher.
• Assists in shaping of appropriate social behaviors.
• Assists in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aids geared to the instructional level and needs of children who are in special education.
• Observes and monitors children with physical handicapping conditions and requests appropriate assistance for pupil experiencing physical distress.
• Maintains or assists in maintaining an orderly, attractive, and positive learning environment.
• Participates in parent conferences, and pupil instruction, training and planning processes as assigned.
• Participates as a member of classified staff and instructional team.
• Demonstrates effective time management skills.
• Demonstrates positive approaches and patience in working with students, associates, teachers, and parents.
• Demonstrates an understanding of working with a variety of student disabilities.
• Demonstrates an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward students of varied age groups, particularly those exhibiting specialized needs.
• Helps support students with emotional and behavioral needs including safely supporting and deescalating students who may exhibit physically aggressive behaviors.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics, particularly pertaining to pupils with special learning needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of behavior management strategies and techniques relating to pupils experiencing significant behavioral challenges and impulse control difficulties.
• Assist students in a variety of settings in school and also during extracurricular activities or field trips as assigned.
• Demonstrates organization and record keeping skills, performs routine clerical tasks and operates a variety of educational and office related machines and equipment.
• Demonstrates ability to make mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Learns to utilize a variety of appropriate instructional materials and procedures in the enhancement of a training and educational environment.
• Follows directives and performs a variety of assignments.
• Demonstrates consistency in expectations and has high expectations of self and others.
• Respects authority and carries out Board Policy and procedures.
• Communicates effectively in oral and written form while maintaining required confidentiality.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.
• Persons performing service in this position classification will exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• This type of work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve running, walking or standing for brief periods.
• Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far visual acuity, depth perception providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate business related equipment, and handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.
• Exposure to hot, cold, wet, icy, humid, or windy conditions caused by weather may occasionally be experienced.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employed for prescribed term, salary, benefits and other working conditions to be determined by District Policy, Federal and State Law as well as appropriate funding from state, federal, and/or passage of levies.

EVALUATION:

Performance of said duties will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's Policy on Evaluation of Classified Personnel.