Under the supervision of an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Teacher and Early Childhood Certified Adminstrator. Works in collaboration with classroom teachers and related service providers, this position supports preschool-aged students with disabilities in an inclusive, developmentally appropriate classrooms. The paraprofessional provides instructional, behavioral, social-emotional, health, and personal-care support aligned with students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) while promoting safety, independence, participation, and belonging for all chldren in the classroom.
- Provide direct instruction and reinforce academic knowledge, IEP goals, and developmentally appropriate skills under the supervision of the ECSE Teacher, related service providers, or classroom teachers.
- Implement teacher-directed lessons, accommodations, modifications, visual and communication supports, sensory strategies, assistive technology, and related-service recommendations.
- Promote student independence, communication, play, participation, positive behavior, emotional regulation, peer relationships, and engagement throughout the school day.
- Actively supervise students inside and outside the classroom, on school grounds, and during arrival, dismissal, transitions, meals, rest periods, field trips, and other activities.
- Support Health Care Plans and emergency procedures as trained and delegated by the school nurse or other authorized personnel.
- Assist with feeding, toileting/diapering, hygiene, dressing, positioning, mobility, and other self-care needs while maintaining student privacy, dignity, safety, and sanitation.
- Monitor students for signs of illness, injury, abuse, or neglect; immediately follow ECSD reporting procedures and Colorado mandatory-reporting requirements.
- Prepare and adapt lesson materials, audiovisual tools, adaptive equipment, and approved educational applications as directed.
- Collaborate with IEP teams; collect accurate academic, developmental, behavioral, and functional data; provide objective progress feedback; and complete assigned documentation.
- Attend staff and team meetings, required training, parent conferences, and IEP meetings when requested. Support school-family communication under the direction of licensed staff.
- Maintain confidentiality and communicate respectfully with students, families, staff, service providers, volunteers, and community partners.
- Support classroom routines, organization, sanitation, material preparation, and housekeeping duties to maintain a safe, well-functioning learning environment.
- Follow ECSD Early Childhood procedures, child-care licensing requirements, active-supervision practices, and district policies.
- When separately qualified, authorized, and assigned by ECSD, serve as a guest teacher. Perform other related duties assigned by the supervising teacher, site administrator, or Early Childhood Director.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to pass required background checks and meet Colorado child-care licensing and ECSD employment requirements.
- Ability to complete required first aid, CPR, medication delegation, Safety-Care, and other position-specific training within established timelines.
- Effective oral and written English communication, ability to follow directions, and basic computer/data-entry skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are valued.
College coursework, an associate degree, a Child Development Associate (CDA), or training in early childhood education, special education, child development, or a related field; experience supporting preschool-aged children or children with disabilities; and knowledge of inclusive practice, positive behavior support, IEP implementation, progress monitoring, or adaptive equipment.
Ability to build warm, responsive relationships with young children; remain calm and use sound judgment; accept coaching and follow plans consistently; work effectively on a co-teaching and multidisciplinary team; adapt to changing needs; maintain confidentiality and accurate records; and demonstrate reliability, cultural responsiveness, and commitment to the dignity of every child and family.
The employee regularly works at a child’s level; sits on the floor; bends, kneels, crouches, reaches, stands, walks, and moves quickly to ensure safety. Duties may include assisting with student mobility, positioning, personal care, and emergency response and lifting or moving children and materials in accordance with student plans and ECSD safety procedures. Work occurs indoors and outdoors and may involve noise, bodily fluids, communicable illness, challenging behavior, or physical aggression. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Receives daily direction from the assigned ECSE Teacher and classroom teacher(s), with administrative supervision from the Early Childhood Director or designee. This position does not independently design special education services, make IEP decisions, or replace required licensed staff unless separately qualified and formally assigned as a guest teacher. This description identifies primary responsibilities and is not exhaustive; duties may be adjusted based on student, classroom, program, and district needs. Eagle County School District is an equal opportunity employer.
