Paraprofessional - Special Education

Position Details

• Position Type:
  Paraprofessional/Teaching Assistant/Paraprofessional - Special Education
• Date Posted: 2/23/2026
• Location:
  
  John Marshall Middle School
• Reports To:
  
  Building Administrator
• FSLA Status:
  Non Exempt
• Compensation: 103
• Work Days: 181
• FTE: 7 Hours Per Day
• Job Title:
  
  Paraprofessional – Special Education

Provides support to the instructional program within an assigned classroom with specific responsibility for working with individual and/or small groups of students. Provides clerical support to teacher(s) and staff.

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials (e.g. art projects, computer, language skills, etc.) to support and reinforce classroom goals and objectives.
• Administers classroom assignments to support teachers in the instructional process.
• Assists students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments (e.g. read stories, providing writing assistance, reinforcing language skills, numbers, alphabet, computer learning programs, etc.) to practice and reinforce learning concepts and help students reach academic goals and grade‑level standards.
• Communicates with teachers to evaluate progress and implement classroom objectives.
• Maintains classroom equipment, work area, and manual and electronic files and records (e.g. clean/bleach tables, sign‑in/sign‑out logs, etc.) to ensure availability, provide written reference, maintain a safe learning environment, and meet mandated requirements.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in various settings (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, etc.) to provide a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs general clerical tasks (e.g. laminating, making posters, making copies, bulletin boards, filing, newsletters, etc.) to help the teacher prepare instructional materials.
• Reports observations and incidents concerning specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, appropriate or inappropriate social behavior, rule violations, safety conditions, etc.) to communicate information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records.
• May assist in changing all students’ diapers, sanitary napkins, and clothing.
• May assist with students who need to be fed.
• May assist with personal care tasks such as wiping nose or drool, hand washing, and body care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• May work at an alternative site if necessary during a health crisis or disruptive situation requiring school closure; eligibility and guidelines are determined by the superintendent and supervisor.

• High School Diploma or GED required and one of the following:
  • Tier 1:
    Completed at least 48 credit hours of college study
  • Passed the OGET test
  • Pass the Education Testing Service Parapro Assessment Test (passing score 455)
  • Workkeys Assessment (passing score 3 or better on all three parts)
• Tier 2 (Special Education):
  In addition to Tier 1, a special‑education paraprofessional must complete the following:
  • OSDE special education paraprofessional training through Pepper, career technology centers, or other state‑approved training providers
  • Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid, maintaining current certification
  • Universal Precautions/Bloodborne Pathogens yearly training
  • Six hours of professional development each year
• Must obtain OSDE Paraprofessional Credential ($10 fee).
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and basic computer software applications.
• Performs basic math; reads a variety of manuals, writes documents following prescribed formats, and presents information to others; understands complex, multi‑step written and oral instructions.
• Knowledge of child development stages and learning styles with age‑appropriate activities.
• Ability to schedule activities, gather data, and prioritize.
• Ability to work with a wide diversity of individuals and data, and to utilize job‑related equipment.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify issues and create action plans.
• Ability to adapt, maintain confidentiality, work as part of a team, and handle constant interruptions.
• Effective communication with diverse groups.