Paraeducator - Prekindergarten Candidate Pool

DESCRIPTION

Under the general supervision of the principal or assistant principal, and with the direct supervision from a teacher, the Paraeducator provides assistance to students in small groups or in a one-to-one format throughout the school day. Assignments may include working with individuals and/or small groups of students. This person performs clerical work as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.

• High School Diploma/GED Equivalent (must scan and upload diploma or official transcript to online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization.For a list of approved vendors, please click here.

Additional Requirements for Title ISchoolwide Program Schools

• High School Diploma/GED Equivalent and a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment.

or

• 48 college credits or more from an accredited college or university.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.  

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

• One (1) year experience working with students ages 0-5 in a licensed childcare, family childcare, or elementary (PK-5) setting is desired but not required.

• Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential or an AA degree to work in Pre-K classrooms. *PerBlueprint this certification will be required beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.  

• Worksunderthedirectionofaclassroomteacherorserviceprovidertoprovideinstructionalsupportfor students individually and in small groups.

• Assistsclassroomteachersorserviceproviderswithimplementingcontent-areainstructionandlessonplans to reinforce learning in various subject areas and motor activities (e.g., reading, telling stories, spelling, games, art, writing, music, physical education, mathematics, social/communication, community, recreation/leisure, physical activities, etc.).

• Reviewsandreinforcesclassroomlessonsandlearningexperiencesbymonitoringandprovidingsupportto students engaged in independent work or similar activities in academic and non-academic classes.

• In collaboration with theclassroom teacher orserviceprovider, implementsconsistent reinforcement of appropriatestudentbehaviors,proactivestrategiestosupportsocial-emotionalneedsofallstudents,and implements behavior intervention plans (BIPs) to address target behaviors of individual students.

• Supportsclassroom/behaviormanagementstrategiestohelpstudentsremainengagedandattentiveduring activities.

• Providesspecifiedprompts forstudentengagement andparticipationduringlargegroupactivities.

• Informsclassroomteacherorserviceprovidertoindividualstudentlearningneedsandprogressbydata collection and documentation.

• SupportstheimplementationofIndividualEducationPrograms(IEPs)bycollectingdataanddocumentation related to student IEP goals/objectives and academic needs.

• Providesinformationtoassisttheteacherinevaluationofthelearningprocess,behaviormanagement programs, individual student needs and progress.

• Assistsclassroomteacherorserviceproviderincarryingoutactivitiesbypreparinginstructionalmaterials (e.g., manipulatives, making copies, filing, etc.).

• Assistswiththesetupandoperationofassistivetechnologytosupportstudentlearningandcommunication (electronic communicators, switches, pointers, feeders, etc.).

• Attendsmeetingsandprofessionallearningsessions(e.g.,firstaid,CPR,emergencyprocedures,behavior management, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.

• Assiststudentswithmobilityneeds(e.g.,equipmentisproperlyusedandsecured,includingwheelchairs, seat belts or other safety restraints).

• Maintainsconfidentialityasitrelatestostudentinformationandrecords(e.g.,IEPs,studentfiles,health information, etc.).

• Monitorsstudentsduringassignedperiodswithinavarietyofschoolenvironments(e.g.,bus,playground, classroom, field trips, transportation, assemblies, etc.).

• Mayassistwithlunchactivities(e.g.,collectinglunchmoney,feeding,etc.)forthepurposeofhelping students with routines and fostering independence as appropriate.

• Assiststudentswhorequiresupportwithfeeding,toileting,healthprotocols,etc.

• Monitors/assistsstudentsbetweenclassrooms,duringlunchperiodandrecess,duringplaygroundactivities, bus loading/unloading, and during restroom usage.

• Continuesplannedinstructionalactivitiesduringteacher’stemporaryabsencefromtheclassroom.

• AttendstrainingopportunitiesprovidedbyHCPSS.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

• Knowledgeofchilddevelopment,instructionalstrategiesandpractices,instructionalgoals,andpolicies specifically in pre-school aged children

• Abilitytomaintainconfidentiality, includingstudentprogressandconcerns.

• Requires sufficient human relations skills to work cooperatively, effectively, and exercise patience and sensitivitywheninteractingwithstudents,parents,school-basedstaff,administrators,colleagues,central office and school-based staff, and community members.

• Abilitytocommunicateclearlyandconciselyinbothwrittenandoralform.

• Ability toremaincalm undertrying circumstances.

• Abilitytoworkwithstudents withandwithout IEPsinaninclusiveclassroom setting.

• Demonstratedaptitudeforworktobeperformed,suchas,butnotlimitedtopositiveworkethic,well organized, strong communication skills, basic technology skills, and flexibility to work with diverse students and staff.

• Basicknowledgeofchilddevelopment,arithmetic,spelling,languageandreadingsufficienttoassistand motivate prekindergarten students with individual and group activities.

• Abilitytoperformtheessentialresponsibilitiesandworktasksofthe position.

• Abilitytounderstandandinterpretaninstructor'sinstructionstoworkwithsmallgroupsofchildren, including those with special needs.

• Abilitytobalanceemotional supportanddisciplinetosupportclassroom managementstrategies.

• Abilitytoperformclerical andclassroomsupportdutieswithminimum supervision.

• Assistswithrecordingattendance,obtainingparentsignatures,andschedulingparent-teacher meetings.

• Performsotherdutiesasassignedthatsupporttheoverall objectiveoftheposition.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Environment

• School buildings, classrooms, community, and/or outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions.

• Exposure to high pitched/louder verbalizations by students, bodily fluids, students with more challenging behavior, etc.

• May be required to assist with students exhibiting challenging behaviors including implementing a continuum of positive behavior supports. 

• May require customized training to accommodate the special needs of students.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to frequently lift and/or carry 50-75 pounds with assistance.

• Physical ability to work around children including standing and sitting, in a chair and/or on the floor, for extended periods of time.

• Physical ability to complete bending, pushing/pulling, walking, running, kneeling, twisting, squatting, crouching, overhead and above shoulder reaching movements.

• Must be able to use hands and fingers to operate standard office as well as student devices/equipment or classroom equipment.

• Must be able to actively monitor and respond to students who elope from the classroom, school building, or other emergency situations. Including the ability to move quickly towards students who may elope from an assigned area.

• Requires visual acuity to read and write printed materials and observe the activities of children.

• Ability to hear, with or without use of hearing aid(s), sufficient to hear any conversation with others.

The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.

Working Hours

• The duty day for this position is 7.5hourswhich includes an unpaid, thirty-minute duty-free lunch. 

• Must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule and change of location, as needed.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS