Preschool Instructional Paraprofessional

Elkhart, IN

$14.75/hr to $18.75/hr

JOB TITLE:  Preschool Instructional Paraprofessional

TYPE OF POSITION: Classified

REPORTS TO: Supervising Classroom Teacher, Lead Teacher, and Building Principal

                                                                                                                                            

POSITION PURPOSE: The Preschool Paraprofessional is responsible for helping the Preschool Teacher provide excellent care and appropriately challenging educational experiences for preschool students. The Preschool Paraprofessional works collaboratively with the Preschool Teacher to implement a child-centered curriculum and assessment based upon the children’s interests and individual needs. Further, as a member of the teaching team, the Preschool Paraprofessional works collaboratively with the Building Administrator, Lead Teacher, Teachers, Preschool Paraprofessionals, and Families toward providing preparation for a child’s entrance into Kindergarten.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

  1. Discusses assigned teaching area with classroom teacher to coordinate instructional efforts.

  2. Plans, prepares, and develops various teaching aids.

  3. Assists students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts.

  4. Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of teachers.

  5. Provides general supervision in the unit or classroom and assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations, and Board Policy.

  6. Assists the teacher in duties relating to the supervision of playground, study hall, cafeteria, and end of day activities.

  7. Sets up and operates equipment used in the classroom or unit for instructional purposes.

  8. Participates in in-service training programs.

  9. Assists teacher with non-instructional classroom duties, such as snack, toilet, and clothing routines of students.

  10. Serves as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher as determined by the building principal.

  11. Alerts the regular or unit teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student.

  12. Performs other duties assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Child Development Associate credential OR willingness to enroll in a CDA class during the first year of employment, plus a minimum of one year of experience in an early childhood setting.

  2. Minimum of 18 years of age.

  3. Ability to plan and organize.

  4. Skills in human relations.

  5. Ability to communicate effectively with groups of students and parents.

  6. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations requiring decision making.

  7. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, teachers, and school staff.

  8. Other qualifications as deemed desirable by the School Board.

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.

  1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell.

  1. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

  2. Pass physical exam including negative intradermal TB screen.

  3. Pass a 5 panel drug screening.

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.

  1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

  2. There are no environmental hazards for this position.

  3. Design and maintain a classroom and outdoor play environment that includes clearly defined, well organized activity areas which meet accreditation criteria

  4. Organizing and arranging classroom to incorporate a variety of activities, soft elements, and personal space for each child.

  5. Ensure that the classroom is child-centered by displaying posters, artwork, etc., at child’s eye level and offering a variety of materials that are easily accessible.

TERMS:  Length of year and salary to be determined by the School Board.

EVALUATION:  Evaluation of performance on this job will be in accordance with the provisions in the policy handbook.