PERSONNEL
480.2E7
PARAEDUCATOR
I. QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or a graduate equivalent diploma.
B. Must possess a Paraeducator Certificate issued upon application filed on a form provided by the Board of Educational Examiners. The Paraeducator Certificate shall be valid for five years.
C. Shall have successfully completed at least 90 clock hours of training in the areas of behavior management, exceptional child and at-risk child behavior, collaboration skills, interpersonal relations skills, child and youth development, technology, and ethical responsibilities and behavior.
D. Applicants shall be disqualified for any of the following reasons:
1. Is less than 18 years of age.
2. Has been convicted of child abuse or sexual abuse of a child.
3. Has been convicted of a felony.
4. Application is fraudulent
5. Certification from another state is suspended or revoked.
6. Fails to meet board standards for application for an initial or renewed certificate.
II. REPORTS TO:
A. Supervising Teacher.
B. Building Administrator
III. JOB GOAL:
Work closely with teachers and students on a regular basis to provide students the instructional and behavioral support they need to gain full benefit from the educational program.
IV. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Support a safe, positive teaching and learning environment including the following competencies:
1. Follow prescribed health, safety, and emergency school classroom policy and procedures.
2. Use strategies and techniques for facilitating the integration of individuals with diverse learning needs in various settings.
3. Assist in preparation, organization, and adapting instructional strategies and materials according to the needs of the learner in content areas including, but not limited to, reading, writing and mathematics and demonstrate knowledge in those content areas.
4. Assist in gathering and recording data about the performance and behavior of individuals.
B. Assist in the development of physical and intellectual development including the following competencies:
1. Assist with the activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem solving that are appropriate to the development levels and needs of all children.
2. Provide opportunities and support for children to understand, acquire, and use verbal; and nonverbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
3. Support high expectations that are shared, clearly defined and appropriate and use strategies that promote the learner’s independence.
4. Make and document observations appropriate to the individual with learning needs.
5. Assist in monitoring progress and providing feedback to the appropriate person.
C. Support social, emotional, and behavioral development including the following competencies:
1. Provide a supportive environment in which all children, including children with disabilities and children at risk of school failure, can begin to learn and practice appropriate and acceptable behaviors as individuals and groups.
2. Assist in developing and teaching specific behaviors and procedures that facilitate safety and learning in each unique school setting.
3. Assist in the implementation of individualized behavior management plans, including behavior intervention plans for students with disabilities.
4. Use appropriate strategies and techniques in a variety of setting to assist in the development of social skills.
5. Use only those behavior intervention strategies consistent with district policy.
D. Establish positive and productive relations including the following competencies:
1. Demonstrate a commitment to a team approach to interventions.
2. Maintain an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child’s family, sharing information in a positive manner.
3. Communicate with colleagues, follow instructions and use problem-solving skills that will facilitate working as an effective member of the school team.
E. Integrate effectively the technology to support student learning including the following competencies:
1. Support and strengthen technology planning and integration.
2. Operate computers and use technology effectively.
F. Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct on an ongoing basis including the following competencies:
1. Demonstrate a commitment to share information in a confidential manner, i.e. only with other school staff directly involved in student’s program, or with parents and nonschool staff as a directed by supervising teacher.
2. Demonstrate a willingness to participate in ongoing staff development and self-evaluation and apply constructive feedback.
3. Abide by the criteria of professional practice and rules of the board of educational examiners.
(Adapted from Iowa State Board of Education “Para educator Rules”)
V. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
A. As per Board policies and individual contract.
VI. EVALUATION:
A. Evaluation by the building principal in accordance with the master contract.
Approved:
Reviewed: 3/15/21
Revised: