Paraeducator - Early Education Program At Colwyck - Must Be DE First Certified

August 2024

Closing Date:

07/31/2024

Additional Information:

You belong in the Power of WE!

Excellent teachers and paraeducators make excellent schools. That's why we are relentless about hiring top educators who can provide high-quality instruction and build authentic, loving relationships with students.

Position: Paraeducator

• PreK - MUST Be DE First Certified

Location: Colwyck

State Date: August 2024

Reports to: Principal

Work Year: 10 months

POSITION GOAL:

To create and sustain an educational environment conducive to the fulfillment of the District's Mission, a paraeducator is responsible for assisting teachers in carrying out the educational program for a student or group of students so that the maximum positive impact on the education of children can be realized.

A paraeducator is responsible for developing and implementing safe, caring and enriching experiences for all students. The paraeducator assists teachers in planning, organizing, and delivering instruction based on the approved curriculum and Common Core State Standards to help students move towards academic proficiency.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required:

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.

• Must be eligible or hold and maintain a valid Paraprofessional Permit by either having passed the ParaPro Exam, having an Associate's Degree or higher, or successfully completed 60 college credits with a "C" or above for coursework towards licensure, certification or permit.

• Must be Delaware First certified as an Early Childhood Assistant Teacher or higher by meeting the requirements for an Early Childhood Assistant Teacher or higher per the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing July 2015 regulations. For detailed information, visit

https://education.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/occl_delacare-regulations-center_2020.pdf (see page 33).

• Hold child and adult CPR & First certifications and maintain these certifications, as required by the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing.

• Previous experience working with students in a classroom setting preferred but not mandatory.

• Ability to support students who require help with physical positioning and self-care (i.e. eating and bath rooming), including physical lifting students using specialized techniques and equipment.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• This job requires repetitive stooping, twisting and bending. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

• All new hires must complete the Level 1 training program by June 1st of the contract school year as a condition of continued employment.

• Acceptable Criminal Background Report.

• No entries on Child Abuse Registry.

• Regular attendance is an essential function of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform the duties successfully an individual must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities related to the District at a consistent and high-level of performance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Must be able to teach/serve students remotely and in person depending on the needs of their students.

• Work cooperatively with all school staff, students and the families of students.

• Assist in carrying out the Individual Education Program (IEP) for a student or group of students once trained by a professional staff member.

• Work with individual students or groups of students to reinforce learning materials or skills introduced by the classroom staff or therapists; may include reading or writing with or for the student.

• Report information on student needs.

• Assist with safe and orderly student movement within the building and outside, as required.

• Maintain the confidentiality of student information.

• Prepare the physical environment for the day's activities including the gathering of materials, maintaining an orderly environment, and securing materials and equipment at the end of the workday. Collaborate with other Providers to ensure that materials have been prepared.

• Perform routine paperwork and record keeping tasks related to the duties of the professional to whom the paraprofessional is assigned.

• Apply consistent and appropriate standards of behavior, achievement, and discipline to individual students, as agreed upon with professional staff and as written in the student's IEP and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).

• Participate in parent conferences, IEP planning and IEP meetings, as appropriate.

• Assist students by reinforcing previously taught skills and use the materials needed to function in a community setting/job site.

• Accompany students into the community to support community-based instruction.

• Assist in the delivery of related services previously demonstrated by therapists and/or specialists that may include heavy lifting, transferring students to specialized equipment and/or entering a pool.

• Participate in in-service workshops designed to improve competencies in working with students.

• Assist classroom teacher with implementing daily and weekly lessons for preschool children that are interesting, engaging, and developmentally appropriate, and assist other Providers with lesson development and implementation, as needed. Use predesigned preschool curriculum lessons, as appropriate, and as directed by The Colwyck administrators. Preschool lessons include, but are not limited to, the following: sitting on the floor to teach and play, taking children outside for recess every day, playing on recess equipment with children, modeling appropriate play on recess equipment, reading children's books, building with blocks, using sensory materials (play-do, water table, finger paint, etc.), singing songs, dancing, playing games, writing, drawing, and coloring, engaging in pretend play, playing with puzzles, playing with manipulatives (legos, snap beads, etc)., caring for school pets.

• Review the lessons Providers have submitted and offer support as needed.

• Nurture, support and positively guide students who many have developmental delays, and/or may have difficulty separating from their family members, as this may be their first school experience.

• Communicate with the classroom teacher(s) of the students for whom you are responsible on a daily, weekly, or as needed basis, to ensure that vital student information is shared among classroom staff and the families of the children.

• Initiate and maintain positive relationships with school staff including principal, secretaries, cafeteria staff, teachers, therapists, paraeducators, custodial staff, etc.

• Keep a consistent headcount of all children present at site; communicate changes with all other staff.

• Assist in the maintenance of accurate documentation of attendance, absences, and emergency information for each child for whom you are responsible, and ensure that other Providers do the same.

• Comply with all emergency and security procedures appropriate to the site and in conformity with procedures adopted by emergency service authorities to ensure the safety of the children and staff.

• Maintain all supplies, equipment and materials, and assist other Providers with this task. Inform The Colwyck Principal when new/additional supplies are needed.

• Ensure that all staff and children are respectful of school property; ensure all school rules are followed. Immediately report any staff misconduct to The Colwyck Principal.

• Work in a team environment and encourage open communication regarding concerns/issues with children, parents or co-workers.

• Follow the expectations of Colonial School District and The Colwyck Center employees as outlined in the employee handbooks.

• Apply consistent and appropriate standards of discipline to individual students, as agreed upon with professional staff (classroom teachers and The Colwyck Center administrators) and as written in the students' IEP and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or designee.

• Assist students so they benefit from educational programs. Responsibilities may include:

• Using behavior checklists

• Supporting students with instructional training and with formation of groups

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities 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 use hands and/or fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. This job inquires repetitive stooping, twisting and bending. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Criminal Background Check - must be less than 1 year old.

• TB Test Result - must be less than 1 year old.

• Copy of Social Security Card - required by State of Delaware; you will be able to upload copy directly to your Onboarding Packet.

• I-9 Form.

• Child Protection Registry.

These 5 items must be completed prior to your start date; they should be completed immediately.

Why Apply in Colonial

When you apply, you will have the opportunity to:

• Make an impact on the lives of students and families daily in Delaware.

• Work with a very knowledgeable, high-achieving and fun school team.

• Engage in an innovative and diverse work atmosphere.

• Grow and learn in a considerate, and open-minded culture with supportive staff, colleagues, and administrators.

• Receive high quality professional development and training.

• Access new and exciting technologies to use in the classroom daily.

• Receive a competitive salary with a generous benefit package.

• Participate in the State Pension Program.

• Have the summer off.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates who meet the qualifications may apply by completing an employment application at http://applitrack.com/colonial/onlineapp no later than 11:59 pm on the closing date.

Applicants needing special accommodations in the application process of this vacancy announcement may contact the Human Resources Division at (302)323-2712.

Note: Incomplete application packages will not be considered.

The Colonial School District is a family of more than 16 schools serving over 10,000 students in the New Castle, Delaware area. We are committed to hiring a diverse paraeducator staff to create warm, joyful, student-centered and welcoming schools. We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing Delaware and we are working to help solve this problem through the Power of We. The driving force around how Colonial operates, the Power of we is organized around four driving pillars:

• Early Childhood

• Leadership & Learning

• Innovation

• Access & Opportunity

#teachindelaware #newcastledelaware #powerofwecsd #delawareteacher #colonialnation

As per the collective bargaining agreement between Colonial Education Association and Colonial School District, vacancies are posted between March 1 and July 31 so employees covered by this agreement may apply for vacancies in accordance with the application procedures stated on the publicized vacancy announcement.

• Procedures: Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Interviews and selection of candidates will begin once the posting has been active for five (5) days.

Attachment(s):

• Paraeducator

• PreK - MUST Be DE First Cerified