Paraprofessional - Special Education

Margaret Beeks Elementary School

7.5 hours/day

The Montgomery County School Board, Virginia, is now accepting applications for a Special Education Paraprofessional position that is available at Margaret Beeks Elementary School for the 2024-2025 School Year.  

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The paraprofessional, under the supervision of a special education teacher, supports students with disabilities ages 3 through 21,  to access the general or adapted curriculum in a variety of settings in order to increase the independence of the student and meet their educational, social, emotional, and functional needs. The paraprofessional may work with one or more students throughout the school day. This involves maintaining the dignity, safety, and supervision of students with disabilities while striving to promote independence. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must have a minimum of two years college experience OR successfully completed Parapro Assessment.  Individuals who do not meet these qualifications will not be considered. Parapro assessment can be completed with MCPS by appointment.

ESSENTIAL TASKS:

The following duties are typical for a paraprofessional position.  There may be extra duties, which are not listed below, that logically relate to the paraprofessional position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.  While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, it is not all-inclusive and administration reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. 

• Assists teachers in preparing instructional materials/activities to support the instruction of students with disabilities
• Assists in providing accommodations and modifications as written in the student’s Individualized Education Program
• Assists students to reinforce material already presented through special efforts and repetitions; preparing and maintaining files and reports; as well as assisting with data collection
• Assists teacher(s) in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks
• Assists in providing individual and small-group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students’ abilities
• Assists in reinforcing and maintaining standards of student’s behavior, created and implemented by the teacher
• Assists the teacher in creating an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Assists the teacher to support individual or small groups of students with special needs instructionally, behaviorally, and at times physically to assist them in learning skills for life.
• Assists in caring for the cleanliness of the learning spaces by periodically washing dishes, wiping surfaces, laundry, refilling items, etc. (based on environmental needs in certain classrooms)
• Assists with instructing students on use of technology or augmentative communication devices
• Provides supervision in all areas of the school setting and assistance to children as necessary, as it pertains to physical and behavioral needs
• Checks students’ work for compliance with teacher's instructions (i.e. provides feedback to the student on missed items, but does not do the work for the student).
• Assists students with content area skills (math, reading, writing, spelling, history, etc.), which may include reading aloud to the student
• Demonstrates confidentiality when maintaining individual records for each student.
• Helps maintain order in the classroom; monitors students to keep them on tasks as specified in the classroom teachers’ behavior management plan or for individual student behavior plans
• Performs other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, and some medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, going up/down stairs, and repetitive motions (sometimes for extended periods of time); occasionally running may be required to keep students in proximity; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, and determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and noise.  This position may require training that enables the paraprofessional to lift/transfer students from one location to another, in order to assist with daily living needs/skills.  In certain classrooms, this position may also require training that enables the paraprofessional to provide medical/self-care needs (i.e. hand washing, feeding, diapering, etc.)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily in a classroom setting: inside environment, exposure to illnesses such as colds and flu; classroom management needs of instructing and guiding multiple students; work environment is a combination of instruction to small groups and 1 on 1, multiple activities going on at once, quiet assignments and interactive assignments and on-going monitoring.  Exposure to outside elements may occur during transitions, field trips, and recess.

FLSA Status:  Non-exempt

SALARY:  $22,366.80 - $37,721.69 annually, with benefits (commensurate with experience)

BENEFITS:

Anthem Medical Plans - Multiple options available for comprehensive medical and prescription coverage 

Ameritas Vision Plan - Coverage includes eye exams, lenses, frames, and contact lenses

Delta Dental Plan - FREE Delta Dental coverage for employees, spouses, and families

Carilion EAP - FREE Confidential Employee Assistance Program providing support for mental health, legal, financial concerns, and crisis support available to employees and their families

Generous Employee Leave Benefits - MCPS offers leave benefits for PT and FT employees, including paid sick leave, personal leave, funeral leave, and annual leave. Employees can also join a sick leave bank for extended medical absences, and earn wellness leave.

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) - Full-time employees are eligible for the VRS and enrolled in Group Life Insurance at no cost. MCPS contributes a certain percentage to your individual retirement account. 

You may visit the link below for quick access to your employee benefits portal page. Look around to find your offered policy information, claim forms, search for a provider, and more.

https://mymarkiii.com/mcpsva/

CLOSING DATE:  Open until filled