2026-27 Paraprofessional, Early Childhood / Academic Support - Chouteau Elementary

Paraprofessional - Half Early Education, Half Academic Support

Purpose Statement

The job of Tier 3 Paraprofessional - EEC and Academic Support is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program within assigned classroom with specific responsibility for implementing programs for the personal and emotional growth of the children; assisting in the monitoring of behavior plans; and communicating observations to teachers, parents, and administrators.

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Assists students, individually, or in small groups, with lessons and activities (e.g. reading stories, listening to students read, providing writing assistance, reinforcing desired behaviors, facilitating activities, engaging in play with students, etc.) for the purpose of practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching goals.
• Assists with feeding, bathroom, transfer, medication, navigating environment, assistive technology, and/or potty training for the purpose of meeting immediate health and physical needs.
• Communicates with internal and external personnel (e.g. teachers, parents, other school, and outside agency personnel, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information required to perform job functions.
• Establishes positive individual relationships (e.g. Using student friendly words. utilizing conscious Discipline language, etc.) for the purpose of building student confidence and self-esteem.
• Facilitates under the supervision of assigned teacher, under the supervision of assigned teacher, play-based lessons, individual and group activities (e.g. joining in and playing with students, participation, and coaching, etc.) for the purpose of growing and supporting learning.
• Maintains classroom equipment and supplies, work area, for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; providing a safe learning environment; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Manages assigned projects and activities (e.g. reports, goals, bulletin board, etc.) for the purpose of meeting established timelines and objectives.
• Monitors behavior plans for the purpose of ensuring student compliance with established plans.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, library, lunchroom, bus loading/unloading, hallway supervision, all arrivals & dismissals, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participates meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Performs routine clerical duties (e.g. filing, typing, attendance, etc.) for the purpose of supporting teachers in the instructional process.
• Provides ongoing feedback for the purpose of sharing observations, incidents of student progress with the teacher. Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.
• Responds to emergency situations outlined on Classroom Emergency Sheet (e.g. injured student, building crisis events, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Serves as chief source of information for substitute teacher or as the substitute teacher (e.g. Sharing schedule, expectations, reporting student absences, etc.) for the purpose of implementing defined course of study left by the teacher.
• Supports classroom teachers and other school personnel in implementing curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Prepares research-based lessons appropriate for individuals or small groups to implement goals for the remediation of deficits.
• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and instructional techniques, assessment tools and methods, etc.) for the purpose of determining appropriate instructional approach for students.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of instructional support.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: stages of child development; methods of motivating and controlling children; and awareness of codes, regulations and laws related to counseling students.

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: preparing and maintaining accurate records; and using pertinent software applications.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with similar types of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: providing direction and leadership; communicating with persons of varied backgrounds; maintaining confidentiality; and adapting to changing priorities.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job''s functions. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job''s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 80% walking, 10% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience: Job-related experience is desired.

Education (Preferred): Sixty college hours

Education: High School diploma or equivalent.

Equivalency: A minimum of thirty-six hours from an accredited college or university; or certificate of completion from approved Missouri 20-hour Online Substitute Training Program; or pass the Paraprofessional test in the State of Missouri.

Certificates and Licenses

Substitute Certification

Continuing Educ./Training

Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

Clearances

Criminal Background Clearance

FLSA Status

Non Exempt