Para Professionals (3) - Middle School

Title: Para Professional Qualifications:

• Meet federal definition of highly qualified

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed

• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check (C.O.R.I.) and fingerprint check

Reports To: Education Team Facilitator and/or Special Education Liaison; Classroom Teacher; Principal; Job Goal: To support the implementation of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) of one or more students, facilitating their engagement in the least restrictive school setting during the school day. The Special Education Paraprofessional does not have primary responsibility for a class, resource room, or initial instruction of content and skills. Work Year: In accordance with the Melrose Public Schools Paraprofessional Contract Salary/Benefits: In accordance with the Melrose Public Schools Paraprofessional Contract Performance Responsibilities:

• Assist with specific student supports, either as individual or small group, with guidance from teaching staff in the implementation of IEP goals and benchmarks and related behavior plans.

• Provide student support services in all environments of the school setting under guidance of ETF/special education liaison, related service providers, academic and behavior interventionists, and building principal (classroom, recess, lunch, bus transition, arrival).

• Support the academic program (reteaching, reinforcing, reviewing, assessing, scribing, note taking, data collection); and behavioral program (data collection, cuing, providing motor breaks, implement behavior plans).

• Provide regular feedback to the ETF/special education liaison on the progress and challenges experienced by assigned students in addressing their IEP goals.

• Work in conjunction with classroom teacher to support learning experiences in the classroom, focusing first on the identified students with IEPs and then for the broader group of students. The goal is to be actively engaged in the learning environment, providing support for learners.

• Assist in implementing the school wide goals for maintaining a safe environment.

• Adapts to varying needs of students with special education services.

• Perform other related tasks or duties at the discretion of the ETF and/or Principal.

Essential Functions of the Job: Must possess the ability to:

• Integrate into the classroom setting, working under the direction of the classroom teacher and/or special education liaison to support student engagement.

• Adapt and acquire new skills and knowledge and use them consistently to support student engagement with learning activities, social interactions, and the school day.

• Maintain flexibility in day-to-day priorities set to reflect changing student needs.

• Work in multiple classrooms or environments during the school day.

Specialty Area:

• Passion for working with children/students.

• Basic knowledge of child growth and development.

• Knowledge of basic learning strategies.

• Knowledge of basic behavioral strategies.

Physical and Environmental Demands: The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Able to move with student from one school environment to another.

• Physical agility and strength, with Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) or the ability to complete CPI training.