Positions may be between 28 and 35 hours a week, and they will assist Special Education students in the Show Low School District. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Special Education Paraprofessionals work under the supervision of a special education teacher to provide care and support safely and appropriately while focusing on each student's academic success in meeting their individual goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED required
• An Associate's degree or higher OR completed two years of study (equaling 60 or more credit hours) from an accredited institution of higher education OR obtained a passing score on one of the Arizona Department of Education paraprofessional-approved assessments.
• General computer skills
• Ability to grasp and convey subject knowledge (reading, math, science, etc.) as needed for position
• Ability to read and follow directions
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding individual students' situations
• Ability to provide student assistance during emergency evacuations
• Ability and willingness to attend professional development and implement crisis prevention techniques including, but not limited to, safe student restraint

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc., to support teachers in the classroom.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students (e.g., lifting, feeding, toilet training, diapering, etc.) in maintaining students' personal hygiene.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g., first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, etc.) to acquire and/or convey information relative to job functions.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and parents to assist in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Escorts students (e.g., bathroom, office classroom, etc.) to ensure an efficient and safe arrival to and/or from the destination.
• Under the supervision of an assigned teacher, implement behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions to present and/or reinforce learning concepts.
• Intervenes in potential conflicts utilizing appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches for diffusing confrontations and minimizing disruptions.
• Maintains instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records to ensure availability of items, providing written reference, and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Models conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, job skills, and everyday interactions to demonstrate appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within various school environments (e.g., restrooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• To support the instructional program, perform general clerical functions (e.g., copying, filing, data entry, etc.).
• Under the supervision of an assigned teacher, provides instruction to students in various individual and group activities (e.g., academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, job skills, etc.) to reinforce instructional objectives, implement IEP plans, and ensure students' success in school.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about the classroom and campus and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools, and controls and to reach with hands and arms, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. The employee may have to safely physically restrain a student from hurting self or others. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.