SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL
Bath Elementary School — 7.0 hours/day, full-time, school-year calendar
Reports to: Building Principal
Salary and benefits per the BESPA collective bargaining agreement
Posting Date: August 18, 2026
Application Deadline: August 25, 2026
SUMMARY
Bath Elementary School is seeking a special education paraprofessional to support students with disabilities in classroom and school settings. Paraprofessionals collaborate with special education teachers and general education staff to deliver instruction, implement student IEPs and behavior plans, and help students participate as fully as possible in the life of the school. This is direct, relationship-centered work with a small number of students over the course of a year.
The paraprofessional is supervised and evaluated by the building principal. Instructional and programmatic direction, including how IEP goals, accommodations, and behavior plans are implemented, is provided by the assigned special education teacher, with whom the paraprofessional works as a collaborative member of the student's educational team.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Collaborates with special education and general education teachers to provide individual and small-group instructional support consistent with student IEPs and teacher-developed lesson plans.
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Implements accommodations, modifications, and behavior intervention plans as designed by the educational team, and collects and records student progress data.
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Supports student behavior using positive behavior supports and district-approved intervention techniques; responds to behavioral escalation consistent with district training and board policy.
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Assists students with mobility, positioning, transfers, and use of adaptive equipment.
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Provides personal care as required by student need, which may include assistance with toileting, feeding, dressing, and hygiene.
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Supervises assigned students in classroom, hallway, cafeteria, playground, and arrival/dismissal settings, and during off-site instruction as assigned.
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Participates in physical, recreational, and community-based activities that are part of students' educational programs.
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Assists with classroom preparation, materials, and routine operation.
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Maintains strict confidentiality of student records and information consistent with FERPA and district policy.
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Shares student observations and data with the special education teacher and educational team, and participates in IEP or team meetings as requested.
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Attends required training, staff meetings, and building events consistent with the collective bargaining agreement.
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Performs other duties as assigned by the building principal.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises assigned students. This position has no supervisory authority over district employees.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
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High school diploma or equivalent required, associate’s degree or 60 credit hours preferred
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Successful criminal history check and unprofessional conduct check as required by MCL 380.1230 and 380.1230a.
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Ability to complete and maintain district-required training, including physical management/de-escalation certification, CPR/first aid, and bloodborne pathogens training.
Preferred
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Prior experience supporting students with disabilities in a school setting.
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Coursework or training in special education, child development, psychology, or a related field.
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Associate's degree or higher, or completion of postsecondary coursework.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
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Ability to follow written and oral instructions, including IEPs, behavior plans, and health care plans, and to exercise sound judgment in applying them to varied situations.
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Ability to reinforce instruction in core academic content at the middle school level, including reading, writing, and mathematics.
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Ability to maintain composure and respond calmly and consistently during behavioral escalation or crisis.
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Ability to build respectful, supportive relationships with students with a range of disabilities and support needs.
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Ability to communicate clearly with students, staff, families, and administrators.
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Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative instructional team.
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Ability to perform duties consistent with district requirements and Board of Education policy.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Paraprofessional assignments vary by student need and may change during or between school years. Depending on assignment, this position requires lifting, transferring, and physically supporting students, including two-person assists and use of mechanical lifts; implementing approved physical management and restraint techniques consistent with district training; and providing personal care, which may include assistance with toileting, feeding, dressing, and hygiene. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and move quickly in response to student safety concerns, and to work at floor level or in student-height seating for extended periods. Work occurs in loud indoor and outdoor settings with regular contact with bodily fluids and possible exposure to physically aggressive behavior.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
APPLICATION
Questions may be directed to Courtney Vietzke by emailing [email protected] or calling 517-641-6721.
Bath Community Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic in its programs, activities, or employment.
