JOB SUMMARY:

This position assists a certificated teacher or other staff member with instructional and non-instructional activities for students in a classroom. Responsibilities include tutoring students, monitoring student behavior, and preparing classroom materials. Additionally, this position ensures student safety by supervising and facilitating activities.
Responsibilities vary with individual assignment but typically include student supervision and maintaining safety, behavior, decorum, and order in all of the common areas of the school Depending upon individual assignment, duties may also include clerical work such as compiling materials, providing basic first aid, or supervising students on the playground.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Current first aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain promptly

Para educators shall be required to be highly qualified upon hire into a continuing position as defined by state law.

• Completed at least 2 years of study totaling 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher at an accredited college or university; OR
• Obtained an associates (or higher) degree; OR
• Completed and passed the ETS ParaPro Praxis Assessment (qualifying score of at least 455); OR
• Completed and passed the Master Teacher Assessments (2 assessments, qualifying score of at least 65%); OR
• Completed and passed the Pearson Paraprofessional assessment: (qualifying score of at least) OR
• Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with all staff, students, and as a team member, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work with students in a warm and confident manner
• Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
  Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  A person working in this position will exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally while carrying, pushing, and/or pulling to move objects. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unaided and may lift over 50 pounds with the assistance of another person and/or a lift assist. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit; some stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching; and significant fine finger dexterity. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or ordinary infectious diseases carried by students.

• Provide basic student supervision ensuring all students are meeting general building wide behavioral expectations. This also includes lunch supervision, bus and crosswalk supervision, and general building supervision.
• Assist in maintaining safety, behavior, decorum, and order in common areas including, but not limited to, cafeteria, playground, corridors, study halls, gymnasium, auditorium, locker rooms, parking lots, crosswalks, detention rooms, and school busses.
• Provide instructional support and assistance in teaching and learning as needed in individual, small or large group situations.
• Assist teachers with various duties related to the instruction of students such as observing, recording data, charting behavior, and classroom preparation.
• Follow and implement plans, procedures, strategies, or tasks as directed by an administrator or certificated staff.
• Learn and apply approaches/strategies to use when working with students in an instructional setting.
• Interact in a respectful manner with children, their families, and colleagues.
• Complete Fundamental Course of Study and other mandatory training annually or as required.
• Follow district or agency policies for protecting the health, safety, and well-being of children.
• Follow directions and guidance of teachers and other supervisors.
• Adhere to the assigned school’s protocols, processes, and procedures for supporting behavior management, i.e., PBIS, MTSS, etc.
• Always be where you are expected to be and arrive at designated work locations on time both consistently and with reliability. Notify appropriate personnel when you must be absent.
• Encourage and model expected behavior including honesty, loyalty, dependability, integrity, and a willingness to learn.
• Demonstrate respect for cultural diversity and individuality of all students.
• Refer concerns expressed by parents, students, or others to the Teacher or administrator.
• Refrain from engaging in discriminatory practices based on a student’s disability, race, sex, cultural background, or religion.
• Respect the dignity, privacy, and individuality of all students, parents, and staff members.
• Establish communication and a positive relationship with your cooperating teacher(s), colleagues, and other District Staff.
• Accept responsibility for your actions and for your own learning and development.
• Maintain confidentiality as it pertains to student information including but not limited to medical, social and academic.
• Build and maintain a positive, caring relationship with all students.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with all members of the school community.
• Perform basic computer skills such as word processing and email.
• Remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Provide first aid in case of illness and/or injury and report accidents to the building office.
• Perform other duties as directed by the building principal.