Job Description

PARAPROFESSIONAL

Reports to:  Special Education Manager

 

Job Category:  School Year - Para's, Ta's and Other Non-Licensed Hourly Employees, Etc.

FTE: 1.0

 

Revised: June 2022

 

SUMMARY 

HCPA is a Title I charter school that serves students through a school-wide plan for instruction that is focused on the needs of at-risk students. The Paraprofessional duties are to support the classroom teachers and advance the HCPA’s educational programs. To create a classroom environment that is conducive to teaching, learning, and personal growth for students in accordance with each faculty members and student’s ability. To base one’s assistance to the classroom teacher on the premise that all children can learn and will learn to their highest potential.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

·        Acquire full understanding of the impact of the No Child Left behind (NCLB) and Minnesota State Department of Education requirements to provide support to standards based instruction and assessment.

·        Under the supervision of a licensed teacher, provide instruction to students regarding study skills, reading decoding, reading for a purpose, math strategies, instruction for student to understand and use math facts, science, social studies, etc.

·        Provide support to teachers to include instructional strategies focused on learning needs of HCPA students in daily classroom support and activities; to use Lesson Plans to implement instructional support

·        present lessons to large groups to enable classroom teacher to work with small group, etc.

·        Provide tutoring and support to individual students or in small groups to master assignments and learn study skills, reading decoding, and math strategies in all content subjects to reinforce learning concepts presented by classroom teacher.

·        Use information provided during professional development and training sessions (when applicable) to strengthen instruction by incorporating appropriate strategies in group activities under the direction of the classroom teacher.

·        Evaluate one’s own instructional effectiveness; adjust methods of supporting student learning

·        Perform hall monitoring, bus and lunchroom monitoring and playground duties, etc. To ensure the hallways are clear and safe, that there are no students lingering in halls, bathrooms, stairways, etc., and that students enter their appropriate classrooms

·        Assist students to use all technologies in the school enhance teaching/learning.

·        Collaborate with all departments to provide support to meet the needs of students served by the programs.

·        Assist teachers for staff with imputing student attendance, student grades, student behavior notes into PowerSchool

·        Compile and maintain complex and extensive records and files.

·        Make phone call and provide language interpretation to parents and students

·        Provide school document translation as necessary for parents as needed.

·        Support teachers to communicate expectations to students and their families with all available tools (i.e., phone, electronic mail, PowerSchool -- Student Information System, progress reports, and website, etc.).

·        Completing any additional tasks as deemed necessary by the leadership team

·        Support teachers to maintain ongoing connections with students’ families.

·        Participate in ongoing and regular staff, team, and individual professional development; be a positive addition to discussions; participate in shared decision making.

·        Support a learning environment that is personally safe, culturally respectful, and educationally sound. 

·        Assist classroom teachers in use of family and community resources to support the classroom instructional process.

·        Support teachers to collaborate with parents, community, and business organizations with all aspects relating to the C3 program, Tap program and other academic programs.

·        Assist leadership team in ongoing marketing campaign: develop school flyers and marketing materials for student recruitment

·        Assist in ongoing parents/student outreach and/or phone calls to current parents/students to retain current enrolled students

·        Do ongoing home visits to market HA (HCPA?) school programs and enroll new students

·        Drive parents and students using school van to and from school functions and meeting on a needed basis.

 

SPECIFIC TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONALS

·        Tutor and assist students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and mental disabilities.

·        Provide extra assistance to general ed, ELL and students with special needs or students or those with physical and mental disabilities.

·        Collaborate with General Education to adjust classroom instruction to meet the needs of Special Education students (i.e. ELL strategies, best practices, enriched visual classroom environment).

·        Must be flexible to attend IEP and/or special education meetings before or after school.

·        Provide extra assistance to general ed, ELL and students with special needs or students or those with physical and mental disabilities.

 

ACCOUNTABILITIES

·        Supports school goals and objectives consistent with the vision, mission, and values of HCPA.

·        Participates in creating a culture of excellence, teamwork and collaboration amongst the staff, teachers, students, and families; a culture that is positive, open to the views of others, and uses social skills to resolve conflicts.

·        Establishes and maintains effective and cooperative relationships with students, parents, teachers, and other school staff.

·        Responds appropriately and promptly to parent, student, and staff member needs.

·        Maintains strict confidentiality regarding students and the educational setting.

 

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

 

Volunteer activities

These events take place outside of the traditional school day. Hourly employees may select the activities that fit best with their interests. These activities may include open houses, school dances, prom, concerts, etc.

 

Required activities:

·        Fall and Spring Parent /Teacher Conferences

·        HCPA Graduation

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·        Must have a BS in education related field.  An equivalent amount of coursework or related professional experience may be considered.

·        Knowledge and understanding of curriculum and strategic planning.

·        Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to give formal presentations to groups.

·        Ability to work in a fast paced, busy, cooperative and collaborative learning environment.

·        Be knowledgeable using a PC computer and use Microsoft applications including, but not limited to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

·        Knowledge of first aid procedures

·        Ability to analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action.

·        Work under pressure, completing work in an accurate manner while meeting conflicting deadlines and schedules which are often set by others despite frequent interruptions.

·        Strong interpersonal skills - the ability to work effectively with students, parents, district staff and community members from diverse backgrounds.

·        Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to multi-task; ability to organize their own work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines.

·        Knowledge of the programs, functions, and procedures of a school setting.

·        Ability to remain calm in emergency and stressful situations.

·        Ability to exercise initiative and sound and effective judgment within established guidelines.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·        Preferred at least one-two years of experience in a classroom setting preferred.  Other experience may be considered.

·        Experience working with children of diverse ethnic backgrounds in an urban school setting

 

OTHER INFORMATION

Transcript - Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire. You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date. Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

·        Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment; school building is a multi-level building that has an elevator and is accessible.

·        Position requires extensive interaction with children of all ages.

·        Possible exposure to loud and noisy locations (e.g. loud classrooms or cafeterias; children speaking or laughing loudly).

·        Operate standard equipment (computer, fax machine, telephone, copier machines, etc.).

·        Fast-paced environment.

·        Requires frequent keyboarding which calls for repetitive motion and rapid eye movements, frequent use of the telephone.

·        Position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time, ability to push, reach, or bend.

·        Work may require weekend and/or evening work and some travel may be required.

 

TEACHERS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS

 

Duties may occasionally be performed:

·        on field trips away from school.

·        in outdoor environments, such as athletic fields or playgrounds.

·        in varying weather conditions, such as hot or cold weather.

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Hmong College Prep Academy District is an equal opportunity employer and supports

an inclusive workplace environment.

 

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.  It does not alter the "at will" employment relationship between the school and the employee.