Position Type: SubstituteDate Posted: 7/30/2024Location: Stamford, CTDate Available: 08/22/2024The filling of this position is based upon continued funding in the Board of Education budget. POSITION TITLE: INSTRUCTIONAL PARAEDUCATOR PURPOSE: To serve as an integral member of the classroom team by assisting the teacher and district in providing services that support the district's mission to educate all children to higher levels. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Certified Staff Professional(s) and/or appropriate Administrator. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work with individual students or small groups of students, under the supervision of a certified teacher, to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
- Record achievements and diagnostic tests, under the direction of the teacher, for individual students or groups of students.
- Assist the teacher(s) in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
- Follow student schedule, as written by certified staff, i.e. administrators, teachers, resource, etc. and seek clarification as needed.
- Assist the teacher(s) in the handling, operation, and care of equipment used in the classroom, including media and instructional materials.
- Assist with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assembles, play periods, field trips, and in other non-classroom activities.
- Check notebooks, correct papers, and supervise testing and make-up work, as assigned by the teacher(s).
- Assist the teacher(s) with non-instructional duties, such as snacks.
- Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher(s) assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
- Assist the teacher(s) in drill work, large group reading, or storytelling.
- Alert the teacher(s) regarding any problem or special information related to an individual student.
- Perform support duties as assigned by the teacher(s) as needed.
- Maintain the same high level of ethical behavior and sensitivity of information about students as is expected of a certified teacher or assistant teacher.
- Help students master equipment or instructional materials assigned by teacher.
- Keep bulletin board and other classroom learning displays up to date.
- Guide independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work set as assigned by the teacher.
- Distribute and collect workbooks, papers, and other materials for instruction as needed.
- Assist in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning school environment.
- Talk to and attempt to calm student(s) who as distressed.
- Participate in professional development training programs, as required.
- Perform other related duties, as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions effectively.
- Exhibits proficiency in basic reading, math, writing, and speaking English.
- Must possess or be willing to acquire the skills necessary to work productively with children.
- Appropriate reading, spelling, writing, and math skills to support student.
- Physical condition commensurate with the demands of, at a minimum, the essential functions of the position.
- Must exhibit good judgment, patience, tact, and courtesy.
- Utilizes and maintains ethical practices for confidential communication about students.
MINIMUM Qualifications:
- Pass the ParaPro Assessment, hold an Associate's Degree, or have completed at least 60 credits at an approved college.
- Must meet NCLB compliance requirements, as applicable.
- Must possess or be willing to acquire the skills necessary to support any specialized programs for Special Needs students, including support of behavioral plans, strategies for autism or other identified diagnoses, or support for treatments such as ABA or activities of daily living such as feeding and toileting.
- Experience/training in working with children preferred.
- Comfort with use of standard computer applications.
- Such additions and alternatives to the above qualifications as may be appropriate and acceptable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time to view & operate computer equipment, and to stand for extended periods of time to assist student(s) and/or staff.
- The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop and kneel.
- The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
COMPENSATION: $102 per day Application Procedures: Online application is required.