Full-time Paraprofessional I

Job Title: Paraprofessional I (Special Education MD Classroom student and/or classroom aide)
Reports to: Building Principal
Supervised by: Intervention Specialists
Location: William Henry Harrison High School

Southwest Local School District, situated in the southwestern corner of Ohio, is composed of: Harrison Elementary School, Miami Whitewater Elementary School, Crosby Elementary School, the Southwest Early Childhood Learning Center, Harrison Junior School and William Henry Harrison High School. The District has achieved an “Excellent” rating from the Ohio Department of Education for the past four years and each of our schools have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with Blue Ribbon Awards for Excellence in Education.

Our Mission: "Academic and Social Growth for all students, every day!"
Our Motto: "Excellence through Relationships"
Our Core Values: Trust, Respect, Ownership and Leadership

Southwest Local School District believes in providing the best possible learning environment by hiring, developing and retaining quality personnel. We believe that education needs to take a leadership role in improving society by enhancing activities/programs that help develop well-rounded students who can cope with everyday pressures. We are seeking a Paraprofessional I for the 2024 - 2025 school year and beyond to join our team at William Henry Harrison High School.

Job Summary: The Paraprofessional I (Special Education MD Classroom student and/or classroom aide) is responsible for assisting special education students in meeting their IEP goals and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Confers with teacher and/or appropriate personnel for the purpose of assisting in the evaluation of students’ progress and/or implementing students’ IEP objectives.
• Adapts classroom work/homework under the direction of the teacher for the purpose of providing a method to support and/or reinforce classroom objectives.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of assisting teacher in evaluating students’ progress and/or recognizing the individual needs of the student.
• Assists teachers and parents for the purpose of implementing lesson plans and/or developing students’ daily living and behavioral skills.
• Assists student as necessary and appropriate to maximize participation in Art, Music, PE and all academic subject objectives.
• Attends class field trips, community outings, volunteer experiences and work study activities to maximize student participation.
• Monitors individual students, classroom and/or playground activities for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Assists students with boarding and unloading from school bus.
• Maintains classroom equipment, students’ files/records for the purpose of ensuring a safe and appropriate learning environment.
• Provides assistance to student with toileting, feeding, building mobility and dressing needs including providing services to a handicapped/disabled student which may be medical in nature, and which may be invasive, when expert medical opinion states that it is not required that such services be provided by a physician, registered nurse or licensed practical person but can be provided by a properly trained person.
• Performs record keeping and basic clerical functions (scheduling, copying…)for the purpose of supporting the teacher in maintaining student files and providing classroom materials.
• Responds to emergency situations (injured student, fights…) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.
• Attends related workshops and in-service training sessions.
• Meets any additional requirements that may be required to meet paraprofessional licensing.
• Performs other duties as assigned by teacher and/or administrator.

Qualifications – To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma required.
• Valid certificate / license as issued by the Ohio Department of Education.
• Other district required certifications including but not limited to Crisis Prevention Intervention and CPR.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student, staff, or sensitive information is non-negotiable.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and the community.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely in written and oral communications.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of district requirements and BOE policies.
• Must have excellent organizational and time management skills, verbal (including listening) and non-verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to provide demonstrated leadership in the execution of communication strategies.

Benefits:
Southwest Local School District participates in the Southwest Ohio Organization for School Health (SWOOSH). SWOOSH is a health and wellness consortium for school districts and government agencies that come together to provide stability and quality access to health care and benefits to all eligible members. Full-time employees have access to the benefits below:

• Retirement
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance – 100% paid by District
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Mental Health Benefits
• Paid Time Off

Southwest Local School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.