PARAEDUCATOR ASSISTANT 1 - Newcomer Support
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under general supervision of site administration and in collaboration with the EL Teacher/EL Facilitator, the Paraprofessional Assistant I provides targeted instructional and social-emotional support to English Learner (EL) students through individual and small-group assistance. The role develops and maintains instructional materials and student records and specializes in coordinating and facilitating the school transition for newcomer students and their families (students new to U.S. schools and/or the English language).
This role differs from the standard EL Paraeducator based on specialized responsibilities for newcomers, including orientation, intake support, translating and providing cultural context, progress monitoring during the first year of enrollment, and coordination with the District Newcomer Consultant and site teams to ensure a seamless transition and equitable access to Tier I instruction.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Instructional Support (EL Students)
- Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and materials under the direction of the EL Teacher/EL Facilitator to reinforce language development and build academic language/content knowledge.
- Provide individual or small-group support (including pre-teaching to build background knowledge) that enables equitable access to grade-level (Tier I) content.
- Monitor current and former EL student progress toward language and content objectives/targets; provide timely feedback to students, EL staff, and general education teachers.
- Collaborate with instructional staff to improve the overall quality of student language outcomes.
- Assist with language acquisition activities to build receptive and productive skills.
- Model effective English communication.
- Promote student self-efficacy through positive reinforcement and culturally responsive practices.
Newcomer-Specific Responsibilities
- Serve as a primary site contact for newcomer students and families during the initial year of enrollment, ensuring welcoming, culturally responsive onboarding.
- Assist with newcomer intake and orientation, including gathering prior educational background, initial needs information, and scheduling/connecting with appropriate services (per site protocols).
- Coordinate the newcomer school experience with the District Newcomer Consultant, site administration, EL Teacher/Facilitator, counselors, and community partners.
- Support classroom teachers in planning and delivering Tier I instruction with appropriate scaffolds for newcomers and short-term ELs (e.g., visuals, sentence frames, structured interaction routines, background building).
- Facilitate school-home communication for newcomer families (e.g., reminders, resource navigation) and help coordinate interpretation services per district procedures.
- Provide supervision and informal check-ins for newcomers in classrooms and common areas (e.g., lunch/recess), reinforcing school routines and social-emotional adjustment.
Culture, Climate, and Safety
- Demonstrate understanding of the sociocultural contexts of learning and reinforce inclusive classroom routines and norms.
- Monitor students across educational environments (classroom, cafeteria, playground, etc.) to support a safe, positive learning environment.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and professional work products.
Professional Responsibilities
- Attend required meetings and professional learning to acquire or share information related to job functions and best practices for EL/newcomer support.
- Demonstrate cooperation, receptiveness to feedback, and contribution to a collaborative team approach.
Additional Duties: Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and skills would be:
Education and Experience:
Option 1:
- Completion of 48 semester or 60 quarter units from an accredited college/university (preferably in child development, education, special education, or related field).
- ANDone (1) year of relevant experience.
Option 2:
- High school diploma.
- ANDtwo (2) years of experience as a Paraeducator aide or in a similar instructional/guidance role.
Highly Qualified (HQ): Individual selected into a Title 1 school must be Highly Qualified for this assignment. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have completed the following requirements: Completed at least 48 semester hours of credit at an accredited college or university; or obtained an associate's degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university; or passed the ParaPro Assessment prepared and administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS) with a score of at least 460.
Licenses/Certificates: None
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
- Educational principles and techniques.
- Physical, emotional, and academic needs of students.
- English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Basic mathematics.
- Office procedures, file, and records management.
Skill in:
- Instructing EL students in academic areas.
- Preparing lesson plans and teaching aids.
- Typing, spelling, reading, writing, and speaking English proficiently.
- Maintaining accurate records and documents.
- Developing instructional materials and performing math computations.
- Operating office and audio-visual equipment.
Ability to:
- Provide support to effectively build student confidence.
- Communicating clearly and professionally with parents and staff.
- Evaluate situations and taking appropriate action based on student need.
- Follow oral and written instructions.
- Establish effective working relationships.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
- Exposure to weather: Occasionally
- Exposure to loud noises: Continuously
- Working in confined spaces: Occasionally
- Working at heights: never
- Working with hazardous materials: Never
Physical Demands
- Lifting/Carrying: Rarely
- Standing/Walking: Occasionally
- Bending/Stooping: Rarely
- Reaching: Rarely
- Pushing/Pulling: Rarely
- Climbing: Rarely
- Fine motor skills: Never
Definitions:
- Never: The activity or condition does not occur.
- Rarely: The activity or condition occurs less than 10% of the time.
- Occasionally: The activity or condition occurs 10-30% of the time.
- Frequently: The activity or condition occurs 30-60% of the time.
- Continuously: The activity or condition occurs more than 60% of the time.
THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.
The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e., Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Washoe County School District is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Washoe County School District is committed to providing all applicants and employees equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, military status, or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Here at Washoe County School District, we are a diverse group of people who honor the differences that drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our students and employees. We believe that through a culture of inclusivity, we have the power to reflect on the community we serve.
