Education Paraprofessional

About This Role

This paraprofessional role involves making learning an unforgettable adventure for students as an essential part of an educational team, supporting teachers and students in and out of the classroom. The role primarily focuses on providing support to the instructional program within an assigned classroom, assisting in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the instructional program within an assigned classroom, assisting in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students in regular education classrooms, special education classrooms, and the community
• Assist in implementing plans for instruction, monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time, providing information to appropriate school personnel, and attending Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings
• Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher (e.g., reinforcement of IEP goals and objectives) for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing IEP objectives as well as providing an opportunity for all special education students to participate in classroom activities
• Administer immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g., diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication) for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs
• Administer tests, homework, and make-up work for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom
• Assist medically fragile or physically disabled students for the purpose of maintaining students' personal hygiene
• Assist students with disabilities with grooming, community accessibility, and other appropriate areas as assigned by teacher (e.g., feed, brush teeth, toileting, diapering, transferring to bus from wheelchairs) for the purpose of assisting students with their daily needs
• Confer with teachers (special education and/or regular education teacher) on a regular basis for the purpose of assisting in evaluating special education student progress and/or implementing IEP objectives
• Implement and collect data under the supervision of assigned teacher and behavioral plans designed by IEP teams for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning
• Monitor special education students (e.g., classroom, field trips, community skills, lunchroom, playground, during life enrichment activities) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment
• Perform record keeping and support functions (e.g., data collection, student files, checking papers, attendance, daily logs) for the purpose of supporting the teacher in providing necessary records/materials
• Provide under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g., math groups, science experiments, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills, writing, verbal skills) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives, implementing IEP plans
• Respond to emergency situations (e.g., injured students, fights, behavior problems, abusive students) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and including physical de-escalation procedures with necessary training
• Provide effective principles and procedures of crisis intervention
• Assist with monitoring duties which may include hallways, lunchroom, restrooms, and/or bus duty as assigned
• Ensure appropriate student conduct during these periods
• Escort students to designated activity areas
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Paraprofessional Educator certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC)
• H.S. Diploma or General Education Degree or equivalent
• Passed the Praxis Parapro Assessment (prior to March 1, 2007) or the GACE Parapro Assessment
• In lieu of assessments, 60 semester or 90 quarter hours from a PSC approved college or university
• Knowledge of child development
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of office and media equipment
• Ability to act as a representative of Gwinnett County Public Schools

Nice to have:

• Experience in a licensed child care environment

Important Details

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, negotiate stairs, climb ladders, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear, manipulate tools and small items with hands, and lift and transport up to 50 pounds over short distances. The employee is required to operate a motor vehicle in performance of duties. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision. The employee may be subjected to a wide range of ambient temperature and humidity conditions while working on equipment under varying conditions including overhead work and work in confined spaces. Potential hazards of this position include working with electricity, working with heat and noise producing machinery and equipment, working on elevated equipment using ladders or other lifting devices, and use of chemicals and solvents.