Job Responsibilities
Substitutes are contacted on an as needed basis to cover absences reported by school-based Special Education Paraprofessionals to assist teachers with class work and the daily care of students with emotional, cognitive, physical handicaps, or autism in the following ways:
- One-on-one or small group instruction as outlined by the teacher
- Reinforcement of behavior through the use of positive behavior supports
- Teaching daily living skills such as independent feeding, dressing, toileting
- Aiding occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech teachers and adaptive physical education providers during instruction
- Guiding and assisting students in small group instruction settings with class routines and in transitioning from one activity to the next
- Teaching students, under direction of teacher in the following areas: recreation, motor, vocational, socialization and communication utilizing the workshop model in Literacy and Mathematics
- Assisting students with ambulation to and from buses, classroom, lunchroom, etc. Assisting in school wide arrival and dismissal
- Lifting, feeding, toileting and diapering after proper training is given
- Collecting data documenting student behavior for instructional purposes
- Writing separate anecdotal information concerning a student’s behavior while they are receiving 1:1 related services
All substitutes are required to perform related work during the course of the school day in connection with the assignment, including lifting and positioning and interacting with students.
Selection Criteria
A High School diploma or its recognized equivalent.
The following qualifications are preferred for the position:
- An associate or baccalaureate degree, or 18 plus college credits
- Passing score on the New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills test (NYSATAS) or the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
- Experience working with families and parents in the field of education
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work with a classroom team and take assignments from classroom teacher
- Adaptability to changes in daily assignments