General Role and Responsibilities:
The Early Learning Center Paraprofessional is a part of the classroom teaching team and is responsible for supporting the Teacher in the coordination and implementation of classroom instructional activities and preparation of the classroom environment in accordance with applicable federal/state/local standards and requirements. This position requires active participation with the teacher team, various Early Learning Center staff and parents to address classroom, student, and family needs. The Early Learning Center Paraprofessional is expected to present a positive and professional image of the School City of Hammond (SCH) and the SCH Early Learning Center.
General Skills and Qualifications:
Possess the skills necessary to support the classroom teacher in providing high quality early childhood experiences to students and their families whether learning is in-person or virtual.
Specific Responsibilities in This Position:
- Promote the cognitive, physical, social and emotional development of children through supporting teacher instruction and classroom activities (both in-person and/or virtual)
- Support student learning through participation in/leading read-alouds, large and small group activities and engagement during daily activities as outlined by the teacher.
- Assist in the establishment and maintenance of an effective, healthy, and safe learning environment
- Support the preparation of the classroom environment, equipment, supplies and material for daily classroom activities
- Support classroom daily routines
- Support food service, including supervision of students to/from in the cafeteria; preparation of classroom for breakfast and lunch, serve food and clean up after meals
- Implement active supervision strategies whenever students are present
- Participate in the development of a positive classroom climate
- Establish positive and productive working relationships with parents
- Work collaboratively with SCH departments and Early Learning Center staff members
- Participate in family engagement activities
- Participate actively and effectively on committees and work teams as assigned
- Participate in professional development opportunities
- Other duties may be assigned.
Specific Skills and Knowledge for this position:
- Good communication, computer, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to foster the building of community
- Ability to comprehend instructions and correspondence
- Ability to perform general mathematical computations with accuracy
- Ability to solve practical problems with a variety of variables
- Knowledge and use of C.P.R., First Aid and Heimlich maneuver
Qualifications and Education Requirements:
§ 60 college credits, Associates degree, or pass the Indiana praxis exam
§ Fluency in speaking and writing Spanish – preferred
Personal Attributes Desired:
- Dependability
- Confidentiality
- Professionalism
- Self-motivated
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work collaboratively
- Ability to work effectively with students and staff
- Ability to serve a diverse population of students, parents, staff, and community
- Ability to organize and prioritize
Physical Requirements:
Candidate should be physically capable of successfully performing the essential functions of the position While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to run; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 lbs. Such as pushing children on a bike or moving/rearranging furniture.
It is the policy of the School City of Hammond not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Act (I.C. 22-9.1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments), and Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973).
