Educational Support Professional (Paraprofessional)

TITLE: EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (includes General Education Special Education ELL Early Childhood Computer Lab)

TYPE: Chicopee Education Association (Unit E) Collective Bargaining Agreement
SALARY: Per Unit E Contract
STATUS: Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Building Principal for evaluation and classroom teacher for day-to-day assignments

OBJECTIVE: The primary function of a paraprofessional is to perform duties as assigned by the classroom teacher in the delivery of the district curriculum in multiple ways that increase student learning and achievement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.

Under the direction of the classroom teacher the Education Support Professional supports student instruction in academic social and motor skills through the delivery and assessment of the district curriculum in consultation with the Individual Education Plan (if applicable). This may include but is not limited to the following duties:

1. Work with small groups of students
2. Administer correct and communicate basic analyze sis of student assessments
3. Utilize the conclusions derived from assessment analysis in subsequent instruction
4. Instruct students on rules of conduct and expected behaviors
5. Bring academic social and motor issues to the attention of the classroom teacher
6. Support class objectives and outlines that align with the district approved curriculum
7. Maintain records attendance and assessments as required by the classroom teacher
8. Assist in preparation of classroom materials
9. Assist in the delivery of differentiated instruction in an appropriate manner consistent with district curriculum
10. Provide timely feedback to the classroom teacher regarding student progress in academic social and motor skills
11. Assist students with activities of daily living including diapering and toileting needs as necessary
12. Is trained or willing to be trained by the Chicopee Public Schools in the knowledge and performance areas identified for the specific assignment (e.g. Responsive Classroom Techniques Implementation of a Student Behavior Plan Use of a communication board Physical Restraint and Verbal De-escalation Techniques Mathematics supplementary services/programs/support ELA supplementary services/programs/support Read Naturally Linda Mood Bell)

In addition the Education Support Professional will:

1. Work independently by appropriately using the directions given by the classroom teacher.
2. Demonstrate the dependability time management as well as the receptive and expressive communication skills to effectively perform the assignment.
3. Build on strengths and act on suggestions in areas needing improvement.
4. Possess the ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to new situations and an ever-changing educational environment.
5. Demonstrate sound judgment.
6. Maintain an effective professional working relationship with others ( teachers staff parents guardians administrators etc)
7. Resolve conflict well and seek assistance when appropriate.
8. Under the direction of the classroom teacher strive to maintain a learning environment that is both physically and emotionally safe.
9. As appropriate assist in the communication and enforcement of federal and state laws and regulations as well as district policies and procedures.
10. Other duties as assigned by the principal school administration or superintendent of schools.
11. If primarily assigned to the computer lab the paraprofessional will be responsible for (1) for the Computer Lab (e.g. equipment instructional materials software hardware etc) (2) to assist targeted students in running software presenting basic skills (3) to maintain daily records of student use and progress in programs used (4) to maintain an inventory of hardware software other equipment instructional materials the lab.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. High School Diploma required as well as additional college level coursework. Associates or Bachelors degree preferred.
2. Achieve a passing score on the DESE-endorsed assessments (WorkKeys or ParaPro) if no college degree.
3. Bilingual (Spanish/English Farsi Russian etc.) preferred
4. Previous experience preferred.

ADA & MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including but not limited to: computers copiers adding machines etc. Must be able to exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift carry push and pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. Must be able to stand crouch and bend over for a long period of time at intervals throughout the day.
• Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional structural or composite characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data people or things.
• Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence including but not limited to: reports forms newsletters schedules manuals invoices requisitions menus recipes journals etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence reports forms evaluations procedures charts surveys articles bid specifications brochures news releases handbooks budgets etc. using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation grammar diction and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise voice control and confidence.
• Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information to explain procedures to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to understand and communicate in a variety of technical or professional languages including medical legal accounting and marketing terminology.
• Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; and to apply the principles of basic mathematics algebra and geometry.
• Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length width and shape.
• Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment and assisting students in activities of daily living.
• Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and hand tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Interpersonal: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
• Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideasby means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone. Must be able to use communication boards and devices to communicate with students as required.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority