Para-Professional - St. Ambrose

Job Summary

The purpose of elementary school is to establish healthy attitudes and abilities that pay off in high school and beyond.  We promote self-discipline and foster a positive self-image as a method to establish a foundation for success.  Every student comes to St. Ambrose with different skills and talents.  Our commitment is to develop those abilities in accordance with their potential.  Our Christian faith and our dedication to serving others will instill a healthy respect for all cultures and religions while empowering students to act in accordance with Christian values as contributing participants of their civic and faith communities.

The function of the Para is to implement classroom modifications as directed by the learning consultant, to facilitate an accessible curriculum for the assigned student, along with assisting with self regulation,
social skills, and personal care.

Job Responsibilities

● Collaborate with parents, teachers, learning consultant, and related service providers, to
implement modifications and strategies toward success.
● Modify standard curriculum to enable access for student
● Collaborate with classroom teacher and learning consultant in meeting the student’s
individualized goals and report progress as required
● Provide daily direct support and instruction which promotes student’s comfort, safety and
learning under the supervision and direction of the learning consultant and classroom teacher
● Assist teacher in creating a classroom culture of belonging for all children
● Provide opportunities for individual differences, recommend and implement use of age
appropriate learning aides to stimulate interest and increase participation
● Develop independence by encouraging student to perform tasks by himself or with the help of a
friend
● Maintain appropriate and effective rapport with all students in a professional manner
● Demonstrate ethical standards appropriate to the profession, including respect for confidential
matters
● Use ‘person-first’ language to encourage development of inclusive and respectful school culture
● Participate in meaningful and continuous professional development as requested by the school
● Demonstrate an ability to think creatively and independently both with and without the aid of
technology
● Always maintain visual and auditory supervision and awareness of student to ensure his safety in
the school environment, on the playground, during church services, and on field trips
● Address any challenging behaviors with a positive plan of support toward replacing undesired
behavior with taught, appropriate behavior as trained by the learning consultant
● Meet all requirements of actively participating within a St. Louis Archdiocesan school, including
attendance at Protecting God’s Children training (2 hour class) and required background checks
● Complete required documentation and reflection on a daily, weekly basis as designated the
school
● Abide by the policies and rules of the school
● Perform other duties as directed

Job Requirements

Physical Demands
● Regularly required to talk, hear, stand, move, and walk quickly
● Accompany student anywhere on school premises
● Occasionally required to stoop or kneel, and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds
● Regular attendance on the job is expected and necessary
● Physically able to react and intervene quickly during crisis like student elopement, fire safety,
intruders, sensory overload, or any other event that threatens the child’s safety or another
person’s safety

Qualifications
1. Experience and Education
● Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field strongly preferred but not required
● Minimum of 60 hours of college credit in special education or related field
● Experience working with children in an educational setting

2. Skills and Knowledge
● Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with children and adults
● Ability to embrace and communicate the mission of the school and vision of inclusion
● Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain required documentation on time and with
accuracy

3. Personal Characteristics
● Commitment to school mission and values
● Compassion and empathy for children of all abilities
● Must have strong desire for success and be an excellent team player

Reporting Relationship
Reports to the learning consultant but also follows the classroom structure and rules of the teacher and ultimately, the principal