New position for all-day Preschool. Begins 7/1/2021.

Contract for 185 days, 6.5 hours per day.

Eligible benefits include state retirement and state health insurance plus additional optional benefits.

Must have obtained an associate's (or higher) degree (attach diploma); completed a minimum of 48 credit hours at an accredited institution (attach transcript); or successfully completed the KDE Paraeducator Assessment (attach score sheet).

Kentucky Paraeducator requirements and the Assessment Study Guide may be reviewed at http://education.ky.gov/federal/progs/tia/Pages/Paraeducator-Program.aspx

BASIC FUNCTION: 

Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individual or small groups; monitors and report student progress.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Instructional Assistants assist a certificated teacher by performing a variety of support functions in a regular classroom setting and may work within a complex program typically requiring additional skills and characterized by increased independence of action.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: 

• Tutor individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing and implementing instruction as directed by the teacher; maintain records of student progress.
• Participate as member of an instructional team including remediation teams.
• Prepare and organize lessons as directed by the teacher; administer and score a variety of tests according to established guidelines; assist in determining English proficiency of identified students.
• Assist in administering diagnostic and other tests; score and record test information.
• Monitor and report behavior of students according to approved procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior; check and assist students with lab work as necessary.
• Perform routine clerical duties such as preparation of instructional and classroom materials; operate copy machines; maintain classroom records; maintain attendance records.
• Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio-visual equipment, operating educational training equipment and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.
• Assist in overseeing students while in labs; provide for supplies inventory as necessary.
• Assist students by providing proper examples, emotional support, a friendly attitude and general guidance.
• Confer, as needed, with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.
• Contact parents of students who are absent; make home visits as necessary.
• Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and regulations.
• Direct group activities of students as assigned; assist in monitoring lunchroom and playground activities as assigned; assist in emergency drills, assemblies, play periods and field trips.
• Participate in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.
• Assist students in getting on and off the bus.
• Transport students to and from activities, lunch, bus and or pick up.
• Assist teacher in implementation of individual social adaptive lessons as required.
• Works with the teacher in providing progress through authentic observations.
• Assists on the ongoing curriculum revision process, alternate portfolio, including inquiry based multi-age education.
• Works with the teacher in recognizing problems and alerts teacher so that they can correct behavior appropriately alongside the teacher.
• Assist students in such physical tasks as putting on and taking off of outer wear, moving from room to room, using the lavatory, help with personal hygiene and other tasks as needed.
• Works with the teacher in implementing, in accordance with school guidelines, reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate techniques that are consistently applied.
• Works with the teacher in taking necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Shares responsibility during the school day for the supervision of students in all areas of the school.
• Works with the teacher in providing supervision of assigned students when circumstances require a brief absence.
• Works with the teacher in evaluating accomplishments of students on a regular basis using multiple assessment methods such behavior observations, teacher and student-made rubrics, samples of students' work, mastery skills checklists, criterion-referenced tests and norm-referenced tests.
• Works with the teacher in making appropriate adjustments in the instructional program and as required.
• Respects the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state and federal laws.
• Assist the teacher to provide instruction in the life goal domains-personal management, community, school, domestic, and vocational.
• Assist the teacher in coordinating community-based instruction and on-site vocational training and opportunities that help students with moderate to severe disabilities be productive members of regular education classes and school functions.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Basic subjects taught in the District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading.
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Basic record-keeping techniques.

Ability to:

• Learn child guidance principles and practices.
• Communicate and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff and the public including members of ethnic communities.
• Perform routine clerical duties in support of classroom activities.
• Print and write legibly.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Learn procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Learn to apply and explain policies and procedures related to school and program activities.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Monitor, observe and report students’ behavior according to approved policies and procedures.
• Operate instructional and office equipment.           

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is performed while standing, sitting and/or walking
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision and hearing
• Requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations
• Requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching
• Requires the ability to lift, carry, push or pull light weights

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum High school diploma or G.E.D. Certificate as required by Kentucky Law.  Must have completed 48 college credit hours or successfully completed the KDE Paraeducator Assessment. Experience in working with children in an organized setting preferred. 

REPORTS TO: Classroom teacher and School Principal

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL (FBI) AND STATE (KSP) FINGERPRINT SUPPORTED CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK AND A LETTER FROM THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES STATING THE EMPLOYEE IS CLEAR TO HIRE BASED ON NO FINDINGS OF SUBSTANTIATED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT FOUND THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT (CAN) RECORDS MAINTAINED BY THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. An FBI, KSP & CAN background check(s) performed for another school district of current employment or within a 6 month separation period may be accepted. KRS 160.380

As a condition of initial employment, all employees shall pass a medical examination. The medical examination shall be reported on the form required by Kentucky Administrative Regulation available at the Board of Education office. The examination shall be provided by a licensed physician, physician assistant (PA), or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. Each medical examination shall include a risk assessment for tuberculosis as required by Kentucky Administrative Regulation. Individuals identified by that assessment as being at high risk for TB shall be required to undergo a tuberculin skin test. A Medical exam & TB screen performed for another school district of current employment or within a 6 month separation period may be accepted. 702 KAR 001:160

All applicants being considered for employment shall be required to submit to a urinalysis test for the detection of illegal use of drugs and alcohol. An applicant refusing to complete any part of the drug testing procedure will not be considered a valid candidate for employment with the District, and such will be considered as a withdrawal of the individual’s application for employment. If substance screening shows a confirmed positive result for which there is no current physician’s prescription, a second confirming test may be requested by the HRC. If the first or any requested second confirming test is positive, any current job offer will be revoked. The applicant will not be permitted to reapply for employment with the District for at least twelve (12) months and not until the applicant shows proof of successful completion of a drug rehabilitation program or proof that the applicant is no longer engaging in illegal drug use. A drug screen, which includes our 5 required panels, performed for another school district of current employment or within a 6 month separation period may be accepted. DSISD School Policy 03.23251

As a condition of initial employment, all employees shall complete training for the use of physical restraint and seclusion in school districts. 704 KAR 7:160