Paraeducator-Instructional Assistant

Education and/or Experience: Minimum Requirement: Passing score on ParaPro/Para Pathways, or an Associates Degree, or 60 hours of college credit

Union Contract: East Lyme Paraprofessional Employees Local 1250 of Council 4 AFSCME, AFL-CIO

Summary: Instructs/tutors students individually or in small groups under the direction and supervision of a certified teacher. Plans lessons, provides instruction, plans individual instruction per the student’s instructional plan in collaboration with the classroom teacher. Implements lesson plans independently or in collaboration with the certified teacher.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned. The Instructional Assistant shall: • Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students/staff. • Possess the ability to work independently as well as a member of a team. • Work with individuals and/or small groups of students to reinforce material introduced by the teacher and foster skills while encouraging independence. • Accompany student(s) into inclusive settings. • Establish, as fully as possible, a supportive relationship with the student(s) while maintaining the role as an authority figure. • Remain student-focused, maintaining a caring, safe, developmentally-appropriate environment. • Establish a positive, appropriate rapport with students as socially and age appropriate. • Assist with toileting, feeding, and any other health responsibilities. • Assist with loading and unloading of students onto vans, buses, taxis, etc. • Lift/restrain student when necessary. • Alert appropriate staff to any problem or special information about individual students. • Assist the teacher in implementing behavior programs. • Assist in collecting and creating suitable materials for educational displays. • Aid the teacher in conducting lessons that require preparation of visual aids, operation of audiovisual equipment, and other equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes. • Assist the teacher in conducting routine clerical duties. • Be punctual and consistent in meeting daily time schedules throughout the school year. • Work effectively and cooperatively with other staff members. • Sanitize classrooms as required by health care plans. • Perform such other duties as may be assigned.