Special Education Paraprofessional

Job Title: Special Education Paraprofessional Department : School Improvement/School Operations Reports to : Site Administrator Compensation : H-12 ($16.78 - $22.46 ) Number of Days: 176 Overtime Status : Non -Exempt / Hourly Last Revised Date : July 9, 2024 Oklahoma Teacher’s Retirement: Optional Participation Bargaining Unit: AFT Funding Source: District or Title I Paid Mission: Our students lead through literacy, are empowered through experience, and contribute to their community. Vision: Tulsa Public Schools honors the diversity, creativity, and passion of our students, elevating every student to be designers of their destiny. Core Values: Our core values guide how we work and interact with each other at every level of the organization. We embrace and embody these values every day: • Equity: We know that our diversity is a community treasure, and we are committed to dismantling practices and systems that perpetuate inequalities, being actively anti -bias, anti-racist, and working toward justice and opportunity for all. • Character: We are honest, trustworthy and have high standards of behavior. We make decisions based on what our students and community need, and we do the right thing even when it is hard. • Excellence: We work together to give Tulsa the world -class schools it needs and deserves. We expect a lot of one another, and we support one another in achieving our shared, high expectations. • Team: We care for one another and work together to celebrate success, learn from struggles, and work to help every team member be their best selves. • Joy: Joy at school and at work makes us more productive, because when we create, innovate, and imagine, our motivation grows. Also, we love to have fun! Position Summary : To work closely with one or a few students with disabilities on a regular basis to provide them with the physical help and emotional support they need to gain full benefits from the district’s special education program. Minimum Qualifications: Education: • High School diploma or equivalent • At least 48 hours of approved college credit , an associate degree from an accredited school or the successful completion of a district approved highly qualified test Experience: • Previous experience working with individuals with special educational needs preferred Specialized Knowledge, Licenses, Etc. : • Possess or ability to obtain a Tier II certification though Oklahoma Department of Education o One-time payment of $12 to be paid to the state by candidate / employee • CPR training (renewed annually) • First Aid Training (renewed every three years ) • Completion of a district approved behavior management, safety, or de -escalation training within 120 days of employment • Special Education Paraprofessional Training (3 days can be completed after hire) • An additional 6 hours of professional development yearly • Proficient in or willing to learn Microsoft Office Suite and Google Office Suite • Bilingual in Spanish is a plus Physical Requirements: • Adequate physical strength and mobility to implement strategies for de-escalation and emergency intervention • Must be able to frequently lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted • Must be able to fre quently lift more than 50 lbs. with assistance Responsibilities and Essential Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations. A reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential functions. • Assists the students to whom assigned in such physical tasks as putting on and taking off outerwear • Assists the students to whom assigned in moving from room to room when necessary, such as going to lunch, recess, art, bathroom, nurse’s office, etc. • Listens to the students in recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks, guiding them but not teaching them • Assists students in performing simple tasks, such as sharpening pencils, carrying lunch trays, etc. • Works with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher • Establishes a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the students without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement • Instruct s individual students using instructional objectives and lessons developed by the teacher • Assist s with supplementary work for students and supervise s independent study • Provides assistance with written and oral individualized program materials • Administer s classroom assessment instruments (spelling test, etc.) , score s objective tests and written papers and keep s appropriate records for teacher • Assist s the teacher in observing, recording and charting behavior • Implement s behavioral management strategies -using the same emphasis and techniques as the teacher • Assist s the teacher with crisis problems and discipline • Assist s with the preparation of materials for use in specific instructional programs • Protect s and promote s student’s rights to dignity, privacy and respect • Serves as a resource when requested, to the student personnel evaluation team conferring about the students to whom assigned • Enforces school board policies and regulations • Perform s other tasks, duties, or services consistent with this position as assigned Unique Job Functions (functions performed in certain Special Education classes): • Reinforce s instruction on self -help skills (e.g. toilet training, dressing) • Change s diapers, sanitary napkins, clothing • Feed s and teach es eating skills • Assist s with personal care, wiping nose or drool, hand washing, and body care • Implement s a motor program such as positioning and handling – utilizing adaptive equipment • Position s and aid s students to move from wheelchair, desk, walker, etc. • Monitor s students using life support equipment • Assist s students using a wheelchair, lift or other devices used to transport from one activity to another • Assist s in lifting students from chair to changing table Skills and Abilities Required: The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties. • Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others • Demonstrate self -discipline and initiative • Follow state and district guidelines • Demonstrate honesty, loyalty, dependability, responsibility and accountability for own actions • Cooperation and willingness to learn • Ability to m aintain confidentiality • Flexible and able to successfully multitask Customer Contacts: • Internal: TPS District Employees • External: Students, parents, community members, local and state agencies Supervisory Responsibilities: • This role does not directly supervise any individuals Working Conditions: Exposure to the following situations may range from rare to frequent based on circumstances and factors that may not be predictable. • Working conditions consistent with a classroom setting • See physical requirements above Tulsa Public Schools is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team of individuals who contribute to the district's mission with their talents, skills, and energy. Tulsa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Tulsa Public Schools also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process, please contact the district's talent management department at 918 -746-6310 or the district's human rights and Title IX coordinator at 918 -746-6985 . You can also direct your request for accommodation in writing to the Tulsa Public Schools Education Service Center, Attn: Talent Management, 3027 S. New Haven Ave., Tulsa, OK 74114 -6131.