Classroom Paraprofessional

Job description

Classroom Paraprofessional
Job Type: PART TIME
Salary: $11-15 /hour 8:00-4:30 p.m M-F some afternoon meetings required

The Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Discovery (Classroom) Paraprofessional plays a critical role in the success of the school. A paraprofessional is responsible for working with groups of children at the direction of the classroom teachers. The paraprofessional is responsible for making safe decisions, modeling professional behavior and joining in the life of the school to build relationships with children, families and staff. This particular role is a "flex" or "floater" role- supporting students and staff where needed and assigned each day. The paraprofessional takes direction from the classroom teaching team, but is supervised by the Pedagogista. All staff ultimately report to the Executive Director.

Minimal Qualifications:

• Highly qualified status for Title I Instructional Staff - [must possess at least ONE of the following:

Associate's Degree, 60 hours of Undergraduate College Coursework OR have passed the WorKkeys Assessment]

• Ability and willingness to act as classroom substitute teacher
• Ability to manage large groups of children during lunch and recess
• Effective oral and written communication
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a teaching team and school community
• Experience with elementary age children and diverse educational settings
• Demonstrated success in previous employment
• Flexibility, ability to quickly adjust to changes in schedule or duties, based on the needs of the school- this is ESSENTIAL for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• State of Michigan Teaching Certification
• Crisis Prevention Intervention and CPR/First Aid Certification or the willingness to obtain when offered training

Responsibilities for Instructional Purposes:

• Work with a small group and/or one on one with individual students as directed by teachers
• Have conversations with children and document them
• Connect to teachers, children, and the year-long project
• Guide children on study trips, movement activities or other experiences outside the classroom
• Deliver teaching points as needed and planned for by the teachers
• Supervise, monitor, and connect with students during lunch and recess

Responsibilities to the Discovery (Classroom)

• Support instructional decisions and assist teachers as needed
• Help children and teachers follow COVID-safe protocols and routines
• Help prepare the areas of the classroom and materials for daily or future use
• Help keep the environment clean, clutter free and organized
• Model appropriate behaviors and support teachers with classroom management

• Participate in the flow of the day

Responsibilities to the School

• Build relationships with staff, students, and families
• Supervise children during morning drop off, clean up, lunch, recess and at transition times.
• Attend staff meetings 2-3/month known as Collaborative Planning meetings
• Participate in the life and activity of the school - including behaving in alignment with our philosophy and core values
• Demonstrate flexibility, self-direction and professionalism
• Communicate ideas and collaborate
• Follow all school policies as outlined in the Employee Guidebook

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $12.00 - $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
COVID 19 Vaccination highly preferred. All staff are masked at all times.

Application Question(s):

• Why do you want to work at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location