The following vacancy exists in Goshen Community Schools for the 2024-25 school year:

Elkhart County Special Education Cooperative

Casual Preschool Paraprofessional

POSITION PURPOSE:  The preschool paraprofessional will be a member of the transdisciplinary team of individuals serving students in the instructional program ages 3-5.  The role of the preschool paraprofessional is to work under the supervision/direction of classroom teachers/speech therapists or related service personnel and to assist them in personal, social and instructional needs. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  The duties assigned to the preschool paraprofessional will include but are not be limited to:

• Assisting and maintaining children’s safety, including lifting a student onto a changing table and performing 1-2 person lifts and/or transfers according to training specifics by ECSEC physical therapists
• Assisting and caring for personal needs of students, including diapering, dressing, feeding and toileting needs
• Implementing activities/skill practice developed by the teacher from the IEP
• Assisting students with the use of alternative modes of communication
• Provide instruction in school and community setting (as prescribed by teachers/therapists)
• Maintaining confidentiality of all information regarding the student
• Collecting and summarizing student progress data as directed by the classroom teacher
• Providing general supervision to students under the teacher’s direction
• Monitoring student’s IEP objectives through written documentation and observation (in collaboration with classroom teacher)
• May participate, when asked in IEP conferences
• Displaying flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the students
• Maintaining adequate records in collaboration with supervising staff
• Know and implement emergency procedures
• Representing ECSEC in an acceptable manner
• Other duties as assigned

 REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• One of the following is required:
• Have 48 hours of college credit or higher
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• ParaPro Assessment with a score of 460 or higher
• Be willing to complete 10 modules in the online training platform Paraeducator within 2 months of employment at GCS (free training resources provided)
• Six months to a year of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Paraprofessionals will be employed based on the following qualifications and criteria.  The applicant must:

• Possess an ability to follow directions
• Possess an ability to adapt and be flexible to formats within the educational procedure (community-based instruction and inclusive teaching models)
• Be prompt and assertive
• Demonstrate the ability to organize
• Demonstrate the ability to cooperate with administration and faculty
• Demonstrate a willingness to improve
• Be able to perform job duties without supervision
• Be able to accept constructive criticism
• Be able to establish rapport with staff and children; ability to maintain discipline
• Possess tact; courtesy; good judgment
• Dress appropriately in accordance with building policy/expectations
• Be eligible to work in the United States
• Be in good physical health
• Wear footwear that provides protection and support in the event a staff member may need to move quickly, i.e. no open toe shoes
• CPI trained
• CPR trained
• Student specific training in cooperation with supervising staff

HOURS:  180 days per year (varies); 32.5 hours per week; daily hours (varies)

SALARY:  $16.50-$16.80, rate is dependent upon education and/or experience. (Schedule #21-4)

BENEFITS:   Eligibility is based upon hours worked and can be reviewed during your interview.  Benefit information can be found online at https://www.goshenschools.org/hr/benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS:  In order to be considered, all applicants must have completed their on-line application at https://goshenschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

          CURRENT GCS EMPLOYEES CLICK HERE

Please attach the following to your application:

• Letter of interest
• Up-to-date resume

For questions regarding this position please contact:

Theresa Eldridge

Elkhart County Special Education Cooperative

1216 S. Indiana Ave.; Door F

Goshen, IN  46526

teldridge@goshenschools.org

574-533-3151

The Goshen Community School's Board of School Trustees is an equal opportunity employer.  Selection of the applicant will be made without reference to race, color, creed, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS IS: Until Filled