This position qualifies for a signing bonus up to $3,000

Division: Special Education

Position Type:

Full- Time/11 Month

Work Hours: M-F 7:30 - 3:30

(Job Grade: 17)

Summary:

Teach basic academic and daily living skills to students with cognitive impairments in schools and community settings by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of subject matter, students’ needs, and building/program policies
• Assists with managing difficult behaviors through the use of de-escalation strategies or team restraint when students are in crisis and when in danger of hurting themselves, others, or property.
• Collect data and progress monitor student’s academic interventions and behavior objectives.
• Leads and manages student classroom activities outside of classroom instruction.
• Assists in instruction of students as designed by the teacher.
• Provides feedback and monitors the classroom when students are working.
• Performs classroom maintenance (cleaning, sanitizing, preparing, fixing) as required.
• Assists with organization of daily classroom schedule and events calendar.
• Implements rules of student conduct through PBIS and specific program expectations.
• Maintains order in classroom and effectively disciplines students through classroom procedures and protocols.
• Assists students with problem solving when adjustment and academic needs arise.
• Keeps attendance, student records, anecdotal observations, evaluations as required by school and teacher.
• Regular and consistent attendance.
• Other duties as assigned

Must have knowledge of and comply with the policies and procedures contained in the Kalamazoo RESA handbook.

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent. Paraprofessional positions for certain programs may require demonstrated competency level (Work keys test or ETS Paraprofessional Assessment) for meeting highly qualified status and /or an associate degree or 60 college credits.

• Plan curriculum and prepare lessons and other instructional materials according to ability levels of students
• Confer with parents, administrators, psychologists, social workers, and others to develop individual educational programs for students who are at different learning ability levels, including mild, moderate and sever cognitive impairments. This may include completing functional assessments of behavior and the development of support plans
• Instruct students in academic subjects, utilizing various teaching techniques
• Schedule, participate in and /or conduct Multidisciplinary Educational Teams (MET), Individual Educational Planning Team (IEPT) meetings to determine appropriate placement of students within education system
• Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent living and economic self-sufficiency such as hygiene, safety, communication skills, pre-vocational skills, appropriate behavior and food preparation
• Observe, evaluate and prepare reports on progress of students
• Meet with parents to provide support and guidance in using community resources
• Identify professional development programs and attend regularly to update expertise
• Administer and interpret results of ability and achievement tests
• Devise special teaching tools, techniques, and equipment
• Regular and consistent attendance
• Other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience: 

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university; Michigan Teaching Certificate with endorsement/ approval in Mental Impairment (CI)/Cognitive Impairment

Certificates, License, Registration:

Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement

Other Skill & Abilities:

• Embraces and supports KRESA philosophies related to diversity, inclusiveness, and anti-racism
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals from a wide range of cultures
• Ability to discuss cultural differences with colleagues and clients
• Ability to assess one's own strengths and limitations or challenges and integrate this understanding into interpersonal interactions
• Attitude of acceptance and esteem for students
• Ability to communicate effectively including listening
• Keeps administrator abreast of classroom status
• Ability to efficiently use computer and applicable software
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to write reports
• Present ideas and information in a manner that gets student’s attention, and which encourages their engagement
• Maintain confidentiality
• Develop instructional strategies to meet classroom goals
• Adapt to frequent changes in the work environment
• Practice safe work habits
• Develop and maintain atmosphere of teamwork
• Use equipment and material properly
• Plan for additional resources as needed

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Assist with supervision of classroom paraprofessionals. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training employee; planning, assigning and directing work; assisting with appraisal of performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to reach with arms and hands, stand, walk and sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  The employee must support and transfer students who are unable to completely bear weight on their own with the assistance of other staff.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:  

Working with students who have physical and/or mental impairments. The noise level is generally moderate.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or nonprescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the district.

Apply online at www.kresa.org/jobs

Kalamazoo RESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals.

It is the policy of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency that no discriminating practices based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information or any other legally protected category be allowed during any program, activity, service or in employment. The following position at Kalamazoo RESA has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Executive Director of Human Resources