Paraprofessional
Department: Instructional
Evaluator: Building Principal & Special Services Director
FLSA Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Summary
The Paraprofessional assists certified instructional staff in providing a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment that promotes the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional growth of students. Under the direct supervision of a certified teacher, the paraprofessional provides instructional, behavioral, and personal support to individual students and/or small groups while helping maintain an orderly classroom environment. Assignments may include general education, special education, Title I, early childhood, or other instructional settings based on District needs. The paraprofessional performs duties consistent with Board policies, administrative procedures, state and federal laws, and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements. Paraprofessionals provide instructional assistance under the direct supervision of appropriately certified staff and may not independently design instruction, evaluate students, or serve as the teacher of record under this title.
Essential Duties
Instructional Support
- Assist teachers with implementing daily instructional activities and lesson plans.
- Provide individual and small-group instructional support as directed by the supervising teacher.
- Reinforce academic concepts and skills introduced by the teacher.
- Assist students with completing assignments, projects, assessments, and classroom activities.
- Support differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
- Prepare instructional materials, classroom displays, and learning resources as directed.
- Assist with classroom technology and instructional equipment.
Student Support
- Build positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Encourage student independence, responsibility, and self-advocacy.
- Monitor student progress and provide feedback to the supervising teacher.
- Support students during classroom transitions, recess, lunch, field trips, assemblies, and other school activities.
- Assist students with organization, study skills, and classroom routines.
Special Education Support (when assigned)
- Implement instructional and behavioral strategies identified by the supervising teacher and Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Assist students with disabilities in accessing the curriculum and participating in activities.
- Provide physical assistance, including positioning, lifting, transferring, feeding, toileting, mobility, or other personal care as assigned and required by student needs and District training.
- Reinforce communication, behavioral, social, and life skills programs developed by certified staff.
- Maintain required documentation and observational records as directed.
- Participate in required training regarding disabilities, instructional techniques, behavior supports, confidentiality, safety procedures, as otherwise directed by the District.
Classroom and School Support
- Supervise students in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, playgrounds, buses, and other settings as assigned.
- Maintain a safe, orderly, and positive learning environment.
- Assist with classroom management using teacher-directed behavioral interventions.
- Operate classroom equipment and technology appropriately.
- Assist with clerical tasks including copying, filing, organizing materials, and maintaining classroom records as directed.
- Perform routine health and safety procedures in accordance with District guidelines.
Collaboration and Professional Responsibilities
- Work cooperatively with teachers, administrators, therapists, and all other staff members.
- Maintain confidentiality of student and personnel information in accordance with FERPA, IDEA, Section 504, Board policy, and applicable state and federal laws.
- Attend required meetings, professional development activities, and in-service training.
- Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, punctuality, and regular attendance.
- Maintain effective communication with supervisors and colleagues.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervising teacher, principal, or District administrator.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or recognized equivalent AND at least one of the following:
- Must possess valid Missouri Substitute Certificate
Physical Demands
- Regularly stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, reach, and move throughout school facilities.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing, virtually, and by telephone.
- Sufficient visual acuity to read printed materials and computer screens with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds independently and assist with greater weights using appropriate equipment or team lifting techniques.
- Ability to operate computers, interactive instructional technology, audiovisual equipment, and other office equipment.
- Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to respond to student needs and emergency situations.
- Assist with lifting, transferring, positioning, and mobility of students when assigned.
- Respond quickly to student emergencies and safely evacuate students when necessary.
Working Conditions
- Work is performed primarily in classrooms, instructional areas, cafeterias, playgrounds, gymnasiums, buses, and other school environments.
- Regular interaction with students who may demonstrate challenging academic, behavioral, emotional, or physical needs.
- Daily exposure to moderate noise levels associated with school environments.
- Occasional exposure to communicable illnesses and bodily fluids during assigned duties.
- Occasionally required to work outdoors in varying weather conditions including rain, snow and temperatures below freezing or in excess of 100 degrees.
- Requires flexibility to respond to changing student needs and assignments.
- The position requires maintaining emotional stability, sound judgment, and professionalism while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced educational environment.
- May require travel between District buildings and participation in field trips or extracurricular activities.
- Requires regular attendance and dependable performance to ensure continuity of instructional support.
The Diamond R-IV School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Diamond R-IV School District is an equal opportunity employer.