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Special Education - Substitute Paraprofessional

Cologne Academy (PreKindergarten-8th Grade Public School) - Cologne, MN is located in Carver County and currently enrolls approximately 750 students between our onsite and virtual academy.  Cologne Academy offers its students an enriched learning experience through the Core Knowledge curriculum and an individualized approach to learning.  Cologne Academy seeks professional educators who are passionate about contributing to its mission and vision that focuses on academics and character development.

Employment with Cologne Academy offers teamwork, challenges, and room to grow. We believe that excellent teachers are critical to the success of all students. We are committed to creating a high-performance work environment with continuous professional growth in support of  growth in all domains for all students.  

Position:         Paraprofessional Building Substitute Special Education 
Reports to:     Executive Director and Assistant Director of Special Education

Qualifications and Experience

• Two-year degree or higher, or 60 credits toward a degree, or obtain a passing score on the MN approved Paraeducator test, which measures math and reading skills
• Knowledge of the needs of students with special education needs and services. 
• Minimum 3 years experience as a paraprofessional in a K-12 school setting
• Minimum lifting requirement 35# 

Program Overview:  Provide paraprofessional services in the following situations:

• when paraprofessionals assigned to specific students are absent 
• when a paraprofessional has yet to be hired for a student new to the district or new to special education
• to assist with a student who is struggling and information is being gathered to address needs

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Flexibility and ability to manage quick changes to the schedule for the day
• Ability to perform all of the tasks in the paraprofessional job description (as follows)
• Additional training provided by the district, particularly in the area of positive behavior interventions
• Willingness to work with students with behavior, academic, or health challenges 

Paraprofessional Duties and Responsibilities

• Understand the basic legal foundations of special education. 
  • Works under the direction of a certified special education teacher supporting students who have Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the implementation of IEP goals, services and accommodations.
  • Ability to locate and interpret accommodations on students' IEPs.    
• Demonstrate understanding of individual and unique characteristics of students with disabilities and assist them with their special needs.
  • Assist students with IEPs with personal care services and activities of daily living including toileting and eating 
  • Perform student transfers safely
  • Work with students in functional living skills 
  • Assist with bus arrival and departure monitoring 
  • Monitor and implement accommodations for students with IEPs during unstructured times throughout the day, including playground and lunchroom
  • Participate in professional development training offered by district special education and building special education teams.
• Understand and provide assistance with assessment, data collection, and implementation of individual plans.
  • Assist special education teacher with monitoring student progress 
  • Assist special education teachers with implementation and monitoring behavior intervention plans/behavior contracts 
  • Follow specific student behavior plans such as behavior intervention plans (BIPs), contracts, point systems, etc.
• Assist special education teachers in providing instructional content to students receiving special education.
  • Facilitate small groups, as directed by special education teacher
  • Provide students with clear instructions
  • Present activities in sequential manner and in reasonable time frames
  • Monitor and document student progress toward goals, as directed by special education teacher
  • Provide assistance to special education teacher with curriculum and lesson preparation
  • Present classroom work under the direction of a licensed teacher
  • Assist student in recording classroom assignments in homework folders
  • Assist students with organizational skills
  • Communicate on an on-going basis with special education teachers who direct your work
  • Collaborate with educational professionals who also support and work with students with IEPs
  • Use visual strategies to support student understanding of academic and social learning (i.e. 5 point scale, graphic organizers, comic strip conversations, etc.)
  • Assist with differentiating curriculum and materials as directed by licensed staff 

Other Duties and Considerations 

• Understanding of the distinctions between roles and responsibilities of professionals, paraprofessionals, and support personnel
• Follow district policies and procedures
• Willingness to learn about children with special needs
• Understanding of the effects and side-effects of medications commonly prescribed for students
• Respect confidentiality rights of students with IEPs
• Demonstrate regular attendance
• Good communication skills, i.e., oral and/or written
• Ability to record and summarize observed data in a timely fashion
• Flexibility and ability to work with a variety of teachers
• Demonstrate positive, professional relationships with students, teachers, and peers.
• Ability to take direction and receive feedback
• Demonstrates on-the-job professionalism
• Willingness to work with students with behavior, academic, physical, sensory, or health challenges
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.