Paraeducator

Description

The Valley Day School, one of the leading Approved Private Schools in Bucks County, is looking for passionate Paraprofessionals who want to inspire, innovate and promote positive behavior to our students! Successful candidates will become a vital part of our school staff. Located on a beautiful wooded 10.4-acre suburban campus in Morrisville, PA, we work closely with families, community supports and educational partners to promote student success. 

JOB SUMMARY

Paraeducators work under the direction of the Classroom Teacher to facilitate student social-emotional and academic learning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES

Instructional:

• Works closely with the Classroom Teacher to provide behavioral structure and instructional support during lessons.
• Leads small group instruction under the direction and supervision of the Classroom Teacher, including co-facilitating weekly morning meeting groups within the classroom.
• Responsible for collecting and submitting behavioral point sheets, individual behavior plans, lunch selections, and other classroom data collection as needed.
• Helps maintain a safe and supportive learning environment.

Behavioral:

• Creates a supportive environment to address student issues/concerns.
• Provides opportunities to students to learn and strengthen social skills through the school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention System.
• Helps students to develop social-emotional and verbal skills while helping reduce socially significant actions.
• Follows behavior plans and other protocols developed for students and assists with behaviors under the direction of Classroom Teacher and Behavioral Support Team.

Training/Development:

• Participates in training in Valley Day practices and procedures, as well as ongoing professional development, and applies training to professional duties.
• Completes training in Safe Crisis Management and applies skills to respond to urgent student situations to deescalate behavioral problems.
• Collaborates with the Clinical Team to create, and then implement, individualized behavior plans for students.
• Under the direction of the Classroom Teacher, communicate with students, parents/guardians, and members of the Clinical Staff and Administration.

Other:

• Serves as a mandated reporter of child abuse/neglect under PA state law, for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the students.
• Maintains the confidentiality of students and their families/guardians.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the building and teaching team.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to practice ethical and professional standards of conduct, including confidentiality .
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, both orally and in writing, follow instructions and use problem-solving skills to work as an effective member of the instructional team.
• Ability to provide positive behavioral support and management.
• Ability to assist in identifying specific triggers that lead to emergence or escalation of student’s behavior. 
• Awareness and acceptance of diversity among children.
• Knowledge and application of the elements of effective instruction to assist teaching and learning.
• Understand differing roles and responsibilities of certificated staff and paraeducators.
• Ability to assist students with basic computer skills.
• Ability to motivate students.
• Skill in organizing tasks and duties.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude at all times.
• Ability to remain flexible in working with change in priorities.
• Willingness to learn and apply new skills to accommodate a changing work environment.
• Willingness to work in a variety of weather conditions for recess supervision.
• Ability to use sound judgment in the absence of a teacher or administrator. 
• Willingness to attend specialized training as required such as first aid, AED, CPR, Right Response. 
• Ability to assist students with basic computer skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to physically respond to student behaviors, including but not limited to bend, squat, stretch, reach, follow students, or other approved physical interventions.
• Must be able to implement and perform Safe Crisis Management techniques to respond to student behaviors.
• Must be able to read, write, enter dates, follow verbal/written directions, and to use a computer and/or other technology to prepare reports and complete forms.
• Must be able to verbally communicate and direct others to respond to students’ needs.
• There are no unusual environmental conditions. Most activities are performed indoors in an office or classroom setting. Position may require employee to supervise students in an outdoor setting under a variety of weather conditions. Typically, the noise level in the work environment is moderate. The employee has responsibility for the safety and well-being of others and must be able to interact with other workers. Employee has the potential exposure to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students (germs, bacteria, viruses), and may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids. Employee by be exposed to aggressive student behavior.
• Expected Hours/ Shift Type: This is an hourly, 10-month, full time position with a fixed schedule Monday through Friday. The ability to maintain punctual and reliable attendance is critical to this position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Background in child care, teaching, social work, counseling and/or psychology that demonstrates an aptitude for working with children with special needs.

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Associate or bachelor’s degree 
• Current CPR/First Aid certification 
• High level of organization 
• An appreciation and understanding of instructional technology. 
• High tolerance for loud, disruptive, and sometimes provocative student behavior 
• Ability to maintain a positive and constructive attitude under stressful situations.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All employees of Valley Day School must obtain and submit to the school the appropriate clearances before their first day of employment. These documents include, but are not limited to: PA Criminal Record Clearance, FBI Fingerprint Registration Information, DPW Child Abuse Clearance, Act 168 form for present and past employment history, etc.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Valley Day School is committed to equal opportunity in employment. It is the Company’s policy that equal employment opportunity be provided without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other factors protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or any other status protected by law.