Paraeducator - Student Specific HSLS @ Lydia Hawk Elementary (Pool of 2)

North Thurston Public Schools - Lacey, WA

Full-time - Entry Level

Lacey, WA

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Paraeducator performs a variety of instructional and/or support duties to assist the school and teachers in instruction, supervision, and education of students with special needs in groups or one-on-one teacher to student situations. May work with students on an individual basis as well as small groups to complete assigned work. Keep students on task. The District represents a diverse community with a population of more than 50% of students with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District's diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively by assisting teachers in assessment, curriculum implementation, student interactions, enforcing safe behaviors, and enhancing social growth of students in the classroom.
• Assist students with common daily tasks such as eating, dressing, toileting, including diapering.
• Teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, general personal hygiene and cleanliness.
• Takes action, or assist in taking action, to restrain students who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
• Assist in implementing physical and occupational therapy plans.
• May escort students in one-on-one or small groups to and from recess and playground.
• Communicates with students, parents, and community members with respect and confidentiality.
• May oversee student safety by such activities as recess and playground supervision.
• Provides instructional support and tutoring to students in large groups, small groups, and one-on-one situations.
• Proactively support the implementation of necessary visual supports and modifications to the instructional environment.
• Provide necessary social skills and organizational instruction unique to each student's needs.
• Use behavior management plans to assist staff with problem solving ideas.
• Actively and openly communicate with teachers and other certified staff.
• Listen to concerns, use language appropriate for the student's understanding.
• Supervise limited discipline measures such as time-out, loss of recess.
• Document behavior of students to assist teachers in assessing progress.
• Assist staff in limited clerical duties such as making copies, operating a fax machine.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Either an Associate's Degree or successfully passing the written Educational Testing Service competency examination.
• May be required to be certified or to become certified in first aid, CPR, and/or operation of defibrillators.
• Successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities.
• Able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing tasks and priorities.
• Able to assist, console, and manage students who may be emotional, distraught, or frustrated.
• Able to remain calm, focused and in control when working with students, parents, guardians, and community members.
• Able to follow written and verbal direction and take the initiative to seek clarity.
• Able to report to work with regular and reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Be or become knowledgeable and supportive of classroom management and student discipline procedures.
• Constantly exhibit command and proper annunciation, spelling, syntax and use of the English language.
• Able to organize work and set priorities for accomplishing work in a timely and effective manner.
• Able to protect the confidentiality of student information consistent with FERPA requirements.
• Able to work collaboratively and effectively with staff, students, parents, volunteers, and community members.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of office and computer equipment and use standard office software.

Nice-to-haves

• Two years of experience that demonstrates the ability to work successfully with children in a learning environment.
• Bilingual skills.
• Familiarity, or willingness and ability to be trained, in inclusive strategies utilized to meet the educational needs of students with disabilities.