EL PARAPROFESSIONAL

Qualifications:
Highly Qualified Requirements.
Must have accomplished at least one of the following:
Passed the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Para-Pro Assessment [ETS ParaPro Assessment
(0755) passing score: 450]; or
Completed two years of full-time study (48 semester credit hours) form a state-approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education*; or
Earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree from a state-approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education.
* Within the forty-eight semester hours, the paraprofessional must complete a total of 15 hours of general education requirements that include English Composition (3), English/Reading (6), and Mathematics (6).  For the remaining 30 hours of coursework, acceptance of credit for a course shown on a transcript form an approved higher education institution is left to school district discretion in addressing the needs of the specific job.  Discipline-specific electives may include as many as 12 hours of developmental (remedial) courses.
 
Reports to: PRINCIPAL

Salary Schedule: 1510                 Job Category: 20

Domain 1: Specific Job Duties

1A: Planning and Preparation
(1) Checks functioning, operates, and reports concerns of specialized equipment as trained.
(2) Assist in the preparation of instructional materials (Copy, order, arrange, or gather materials as directed).    
(3) Observes and records data related to student interactions, initiatives, and health needs.    
(4) Works with assigned students under the teacher's direction.    
(5) Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced and outlined by the teacher.    
(6) Assists the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing learning materials and skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.    
(7) Monitors work, corrects papers, and supervises curriculum-based testing and makeup work as assigned by the teacher. 
  
1B: Classroom Environment
(1) Escorts, supervises, and assists students as assigned to various settings throughout the building(s).
(2) Facilitates appropriate social interactions among students by prompting, modeling, and reinforcing appropriate social behaviors in small group or classroom settings.    
(3) Supports and implement the discipline philosophy of the school as well as disciplinary procedures designed for individual students.
(4) Assists in maintaining discipline of students using behavior management plan as directed by the teacher.
(5) Performs physical demands requiring frequent lifting, carrying, transferring, or pushing of objects or wheelchairs weighing up to 50 pounds. Physical demands may also include walking and standing to a significant degree, kneeling, stooping, balancing, crouching, reaching, grasping, head and neck movement, and movement across mid-line. The paraprofessional must possess motor coordination, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, alertness, precision, speaking ability, auditory discrimination, and tactile discrimination.

(6) Performs duties that relate to and support the educational process of the students. These duties may include medical and hygiene procedures, i.e., tube feeding, oral suctioning, trachea suctioning, catheterization, medication administration, glucose checks, ostomy bag care/changes, diapering and other noncomplex, delegable medical procedures deemed necessary by the nurse and IEP Committee. These procedures are determined by student need, not by program area. The paraprofessional may be required to move from one program area to another within the day.
(7) Alerts the teacher to any problems or special information about an individual student.
(8) Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
 
1C: Instruction
(1) Provides appropriate instructional assistance and support for students based on lessons developed and provided by the teacher.    
(2) Coordinates and communicates with classroom and/or sped teachers in assisting students in the continuation of classroom assignments.    
(3) Assists students with life-skills based curriculum in the school or community when appropriate.    
(4) Helps students implement and self-manage organization skills.    
(5) Assists and monitors students in using assistive technology devices.    
(6) Works with other professionals, such as speech therapists, social worker, occupational and physical therapists.    
(7) Assists in the implementation of the Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress.    
(8) Performs all other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or by Superintendent.    
   
Domain 2: Professional Attitude and Conduct
(1) Establishes and maintains appropriate respectful, harmonious relationship with administration, school faculty, other employees, students, vendors, and the general public.
(2) Observes professional ethics as prescribed by the employee's profession/craft and in accordance with state law and board policy (GAl Solicitations, GAIB Solicitations of Staff Members, GAJ, Gifts).
(3) Adheres to Board policy, administrative rules and regulations.
(4) Seeks, shares, and respects ideas of others.
(5) Exhibits a caring, positive attitude towards others.
(6) Maintains the confidentiality of all School Board business by refraining from accessing discussing or disclosing anything outside the scope of employment unless authorized by immediate supervisor.
(7) Participates in appropriate professional growth activities, which may include participation in seminars, conferences, workshops for improvement of knowledge and skills.

Domain 3: Communication
(1) Understands, interprets and follows written and verbal instructions from immediate supervisor and gives clear written and oral instructions to others as required.
(2) Accurately compiles data, summarizes information and provides written reports when required.
(3) Answers the telephone and receives visitors in a courteous and efficient manner.
(4) Follows the chain of command for various administrative procedures.
(5) Communicates in a professional manner both verbally and non-verbally.

Domain 4: Attendance and Punctuality
(1) Reports to work at the assigned time.
(2) Attends work consistently.
(3) Contacts Supervisor and/or designee when absent in compliance with district policy.
(4) Departs from work at the assigned time.

(5) Uses leave appropriately and completes appropriate documentation.
(6) Signs in and out using the employee time clock system in compliance with district policy.
   
Domain 5: Safety
(1) Completes task in a safe manner as prescribed by the Safety Department or by the employee's profession/craft.
(2) Maintains a neat and orderly work environment.
(3) Dresses appropriately for the job assigned and in compliance with state law and board policy GAMB Employee Dress Code.
(4) Displays employee ID tag at all times while on duty.
(5) Reports any unsafe conditions to supervisor and/or appropriate personnel.
(6) Reports any incidents of injury or damage immediately to the appropriate official in compliance with policy EGAA Workers’ Compensation.
(7) Complies with policies GAMA Employee Tobacco Use and GAMD Drug-Free Workplace when on duty.

Terms of Employment
7 hours per day - 180 days
There shall be a probationary period of 90 days from date of employment for new employees. After 90 days, a decision based upon an evaluation will be rendered in regards to the employee’s status as a permanent employee.
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of non-instructional personnel.
The Superintendent reserves the right to change the job and any other duties, as required, with advance written notification.

*MAX salary Per Year is contingent on possessing a Masters degree at 30 years of employment.