Paraeducator

Salary: $22.94 Hourly

Location : Sequim, WA

Job Type: Temporary

Job Number: PES

Building: District Office

Department: Learning Support Services

Opening Date: 06/28/2024

About

The Sequim School District welcomes your application for Substitute Paraeducator for the school year.

ABOUT SEQUIM SCHOOL DISTRICT

In Sequim School District our community inspires and prepares each student to thrive. We are looking for candidates passionate about pursuing their calling to education who will partner with us to create an environment and culture where all children experience success, NO EXCEPTIONS. The Sequim School District empowers staff to inspire hope and provide flexible, innovative learning opportunities in a safe and respectful environment so each student thrives.

ABOUT THE CITY OF SEQUIM:

Surrounded by natural beauty and full of small-town charm, Sequim is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and lavender lovers and is one of the driest places in western Washington. An active arts community, vibrant downtown, and diverse culinary options make Sequim the cultural and commercial heart of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley on the magnificent Olympic Peninsula.

The Position

Under the immediate supervision of an assigned supervisor and general direction of a classroom teacher, specialist or therapist, assists in providing academic, behavior and social-emotional supports to individual or small groups of students to enhance learning. Monitors and reports student progress according to state standards, classroom objectives and the individualized education program (IEP), including health and/or behavioral plans. May assist students in developing various self-help skills, including hygiene, toileting, eating, social, community and leisure/recreational skills. Provides emergency health-related assistance to students as needed.
The Candidate

KNOWLEDGE OF:
•  Principles and practices of age appropriate child development and guidance applicable for an educational setting.
•  Basic subjects taught in the District schools, including mathematics, grammar, spelling, language and reading, with sufficient competency to assist students with individual or group studies.
•  Safe practices in classroom, playground, campus, and community-based activities.
•  Basic knowledge of teaching and instruction methods.
•  Basic clerical and record keeping processes.
•  Skill at using personal computers, audiovisual, and other equipment to support learning, record information, and send communications.
•  Sufficient human relation skills to work productively and cooperatively with teachers, students, and parents in formal and informal settings, to exercise patience when conveying information, and demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of students. ABILITY TO:
•  Assist teaching staff with the implementation of instructional goals and activities, assessing the needs of individual students and developing programs to meet those needs.
•  Interact with teachers, parents, and specialists in order to carry out assigned duties.
•  Assist in maintaining order among students in their assigned learning environment.
•  Oversee students, administer assignments and tests, and perform general clerical tasks.
•  Make informal presentations to individual and small groups of students and assist with demonstrations of assigned subject matter to classroom sized groups.
•  Relate positively to students in a teaching/learning environment in a way that builds confidence and recognizes socioeconomic and cultural differences among children.
•  Exercise patience when conveying information, and demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of students.
•  Balance emotional support and discipline and deal with common behavior problems.
•  Maintain confidentiality of student and school information.
•  Setup and maintain records; prepare documentation and reports as needed.
•  Operate instructional and office equipment. QUALITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
•  Giver of hope
•  Passion for students well-being and healthy development
•  Eager to connect with diverse leaders to continue to improve practice
•  Exhibiting a good attitude and a growth mindset
•  Models what it means to make mistakes and grow from them
•  Comfortable not-knowing, but eager to problem solve
•  Technology seamlessly integrated into their practice
•  Creative and open to trying new things
•  A natural relationship builder and a good reader of situations
•  Hard working and nurturing
•  Responsible EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Completion of at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (48 semester units), or Associates degree. If a candidate does not possess the higher education requirement, then they must successfully pass the state competency exam demonstrating knowledge of and the ability to assist in teaching reading, writing and mathematics (or readiness in those subject areas.)

Experience: Some experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults in an organized setting. Experience working with individuals with special developmental needs is desirable.

The Details

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
•  Provides academic, behavior and social instructional assistance to individual or small groups of students in a classroom, distance learning and/or community environment.
•   Works on an in-depth basis with individual or small groups of students to execute individual lesson plans and alternative strategies for maximizing learning experiences.
•   Reinforces learning experiences for students. Assists teacher, specialist or therapist in assessing student ability and progress; provides information and discusses student daily activities, progress and needs.
•  Supports students for general education integration following the individualized academic, behavior, health care and safety needs.
•   Confers with the teacher concerning lesson plans and materials to meet student needs. Assists teacher(s) with implementation of students' Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives through instruction and a wide variety of prescribed activities. Collects data and/or work samples as instructed by the teacher.
•   Assists students in completing classroom assignments, homework and projects in various subject areas; assures student understanding of classroom rules and procedures; assists students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, friendly attitude and general guidance; tutors individual and groups of students in accordance with student needs and progress.
•   Assists in maintaining order among students in the classroom and school grounds. Assures safety of students following health and safety rules. Assists and supervises individual and groups of students in moving from place-to-place in an orderly manner, (i.e. school bus to classroom, classroom to restroom, lunch room, on playgrounds, on field trips and co-curricular activities.) Paraeducators assigned to a bus run assist and supervise students while riding the bus to and from school.
•   Assists and guides students by providing appropriate role modeling, emotional support, patience, and a friendly and engaging attitude. Must be discrete in responding to student behaviors and educational needs whenever possible. Must observe and maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with legal requirements and district policies.
•   May assist students with performing and developing independent living, communication, social and self-help skills; assist in implementing behavior modification and intervention activities as assigned; assist students with physical therapy, positioning and motor skill development as required.
•   May assist students with personal hygiene including dressing, washing and grooming as assigned by the position; may assist students with eating activities; may toilet students and change diapers and soiled clothing as needed; may assist lifting students in and out of wheelchairs, and loading and unloading students on and off of buses.
•   Collaborates with District staff to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns related to student needs, progress and assigned instructional support functions. Alerts teacher to any special problems or information concerning students. Provides information and assistance to substitute teachers.
•   Assures the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; assists in maintaining a neat and orderly learning environment that supports learning. Greets and welcomes students and parents.
•   Maintains various records and files related to students, instructional activities and assigned duties; records grades, takes student attendance and maintains related records as required; assists with administering and monitoring students during tests as required.
•   Performs a variety of clerical duties in support of classroom activities such as preparing, duplicating and filing instructional materials and correspondence as assigned. Operates a variety of contemporary office equipment; operates instructional equipment such as iPads, PC or MAC computers, tablets, assistive technology devices, and assigned software or applications, including MS Office, Google Docs, etc.
•   Must be prepared to change routine or perform tasks normally done by another member of the school or classroom team upon request of the teacher . click apply for full job details