Special Education Paraprofessional

Job title	Special Education Paraprofessional	Classification	Nonexempt
Reports to	Principal	Organization Unit	Support
Approved by	Human Resources	Effective date	6/9/2025

South Scioto Performance Academy (SSPA) is looking for a caring, dependable, and student-centered Special Education Paraprofessional to join our school community.

At SSPA, we believe every child deserves the support, encouragement, and opportunity to succeed. We are looking for someone who shares that commitment and wants to be part of a team where relationships matter, students come first, and the work you do each day can make a meaningful difference in a child's life.

As a Special Education Paraprofessional, you will work alongside our teachers and Intervention Specialists to provide individualized academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support to students. Whether you are helping a student master a new skill, build confidence, become more independent, or simply know that someone believes in them, your contribution will be an important part of their success.

If you are compassionate, patient, collaborative, and passionate about helping children reach their potential, we would love to welcome you to the SSPA community.

Come grow with us and help us continue building the Best School in the Neighborhood!

Job Purpose

An effective paraprofessional will support the instructional, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students with disabilities under the direction of certified Intervention Specialists and general education teachers. This role assists in implementing individualized education programs (IEPs), providing direct support to students in various instructional settings, promoting student independence, and ensuring a safe, inclusive learning environment. The paraprofessional works collaboratively with educators, specialists, and families to foster academic progress and positive student outcomes in accordance with district policies and special education regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

• Assists in supervising students in the classroom.
• Attend IAT and/ or IEP meetings as requested, which are related to the instructional and behavioral goals of aided student(s).
• Assists with supervising students in the school building and escorting students to and from school buses and cars.
• Reports to teachers/Principal regarding behavior infractions, safety concerns, injuries, or other issues involving students.
• Assists and guides students to reinforce PA curriculum.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs. 
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance. 
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task. 
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, hallway, and other related non-instructional areas. 
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision. 
• Assists teacher(s) with parent contact, as requested, to foster parent involvement in student education. 
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement of IEP objectives, etc. 
• Participates in the IEP process and serves as a resource for the IEP team as needed. 
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures, and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students; including those with disabilities or other special needs. 
• Performs any other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education preferred. GED or High School Diploma required. 
• Maintain current educational aide licensure, certification, BCI/FBI background check. 
• Proficient in computer applications, including, but not limited to Google Docs, e-mail, and internet applications.    

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics  

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective organizational and problem solving skills.
• Ability to maintain composure and perform responsibilities under pressure.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding student(s), employees, and others. 
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. 
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with the student(s) assigned to you.

Working Conditions

• Daily hours are from 8:00 am-4:00 pm according to the school calendar.
• Follow the required school dress code for building staff.
• Dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and ability to handle other computer/technology-related components.

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds. 
• Standing for extended periods of time.
• Ability to move around the building.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.