Paraprofessional - Special Education - ECSE - Morse

TITLE:           PARAPROFESSIONAL – SPECIAL EDUCATION - ECSE

LOCATION:   MORSE ELEMENTARY

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 23,000 students. With a Head Start program, three preschools, 29 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, the district serves a wonderfully diverse mixture of students. A remarkable 62 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students and 51% of our students are Latino and 29% are African American. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 staff, including more than 1,600 teachers. 

We are in the process of opening two new elementary and one middle school. Sumner Academy is the #1 Rated High School in Kansas from the US News and World Report. The vision of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is to be one of the Top 10 School Districts in the Nation. Our goal is that "Each student will exit high school prepared for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, performance is on track and on time for success." To help our students achieve this goal, the district is implementing a district-wide initiative called Diploma+.

JOB GOAL:

The job of Paraprofessional – Special Education is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program within assigned classroom with specific responsibility for assisting the Lead Teacher in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom or in a self-contained classroom; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising/lead teacher for the purpose of supporting students in a variety of school environments to include content area subjects.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting lead teachers in the classroom.
• Assists medically fragile or physically disabled students for the purpose of maintaining student’s personal hygiene.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and/or parents for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives under the direction of the Lead Teacher.
• Implements under the supervision of assigned lead teacher, behavioral plans designed by IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions (e.g. supportive disciplinary role, reinforces student performance, etc.) for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Maintains instructional materials for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and or meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. assemblies, job interviews, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides under the supervision of lead teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. pre/posttests, constructs materials, checks/scores student work, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; and ensuring student success in school.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• May administer immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning for the work unit.

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION: Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.   Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.   Performs other related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Job related experience is required

Targeted, job related education with study in job-related area

48 college hours or Associate's Degree required

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

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.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike or wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:  Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  186 day duty year

SALARY:                Position based on KCKPS SALARY SCHEDULE

FLSA STATUS:       Non-Exempt, Hourly

REPORT TO:          Principal

EVALUATION:       Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation and Professional 

Signatures

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  The individual currently holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.  

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  KCKPS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or any other factors that cannot be lawfully considered in its programs and activities as required by all applicable laws and regulations.

This job description has been approved by all levels of management:

Manager _______________________________________________

HR ___________________________________________________

Employee signature below constitutes employee’s understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Employee _____________________________ Date ____________