Summary of Position:
The Paraprofessional/Teacher Aide assists the teacher in general daily classroom and school wide activities. The Paraprofessional/Teacher Aide is directly monitored by the classroom teacher, is responsible to the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit, and is evaluated by the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Special Education Supervisor in collaboration with the classroom teacher and building Principal when appropriate.
Essential Job Responsibilities and Skills:
Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting the teacher:
- Maintaining discipline and other behavior management functions in order to maintain a safe classroom environment.
- Arranging the learning environment.
- Administering educational assessments. The Paraprofessional/Teacher Aide is not permitted to analyze the results or determine the grade or achievement level.
- Assembling, adjusting, and maintaining equipment and technology used in the instructional program.
- Preparing instructional materials.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
- Assisting the Students:
- Working with the individual students or small groups on activities assigned by the teacher. The Paraprofessional/Teacher Aide is only permitted to reinforce instruction provided by the teacher and in this capacity must adhere to lesson plans provided by the teacher, the Paraprofessional/Teacher Aide is never responsible for providing direct instruction to an individual or group of students.
- Assisting, within constraints of specific program regulations, in the supervision of students during non-instructional times throughout the day such as lunchtime, recess, entering and exiting the building, toileting, personal grooming, etc.
- Assisting with Clerical Duties:
- Completing recordkeeping tasks assigned by the teacher such as lunch reports, attendance, etc.
- Completing data collection tasks assigned by the teacher such as tallying points on student behavior sheets from other teachers, classroom progress monitoring, etc.
- Professional Development:
- Complete required In Service hours as per contract.
- Earn and maintain qualified status.
- Accumulate 20 hours of approved Professional Development hours per school year, required to continue employment.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- Previous Experience working with children preferred.
- Documentation of at least one of the following:
- Paraeducator Highly Qualified Certificate
- High School Diploma or GED. With commitment to complete the PDE Credential of Competency required within first three months of employment.
Other Skills and Abilities:
- Performing Basic Reading, Writing, and Math Skills.
- Ability to understand and follow directions as directed by the teacher(s) or supervisor.
- Working confidentially and cooperatively with other staff members within the school environment.
- Position requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing stairs, or moving throughout the school environment, often for extended periods of the workday.
- Position requires mobility such as: pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and sliding supplies or equipment weighing no more than 45 pounds.
- Lifting students in order to assist with their physical needs.
- Withstanding inside and outside environmental conditions.
- Withstanding a noise level that is generally moderate to loud.
- Performing other related duties as directed by the teacher(s) or supervisor
- Must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations. It is the responsibility of the employee to timely inform the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Special Education Administrator of all reasonable accommodations that will be required.
- As an IU employee, you are subject to assignment. All assignments are based on the needs of the students and/or program and are not negotiable.
- As per the contract, there is a probationary period of 90 working days prior to the candidate becoming a permanent employee. The employee will be observed and evaluated with the appropriate IU form prior to the end of the 90 days. New employees who are not Highly Qualified must complete the PDE Para educator Credential of Competency certificate within 3 months from date of hire.
- All Paraprofessionals/Teacher Aides will be evaluated at least annually. New Paraprofessionals/aides will be evaluated prior to the end of the probation period. Any disciplinary actions will be conducted via the evaluation process.