Paraprofessional

Description

Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) is a public school corporation serving students in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where students can develop academically, socially, and personally. This work-based learning opportunity is located at Wea Ridge Middle School and provides the learner with hands-on experience supporting students in a special education resource room.

The learner will work under the daily supervision and direction of a licensed classroom teacher and will collaborate with special education teachers, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and other school professionals. Training and ongoing guidance will be provided regarding instructional support, student confidentiality, classroom procedures, behavioral supports, safety practices, accommodations, and strategies for working with students with a variety of learning needs. The classroom teacher will serve as the learner's primary mentor by modeling effective practices, providing feedback, answering questions, and gradually allowing the learner to take greater responsibility as skills and confidence develop.

Through this experience, the learner will have opportunities to work individually and in small groups with students, reinforce academic skills, assist with classroom activities, support positive student behavior, and observe how educators collaborate to meet individual student needs.

Learning goals for the learner include developing effective communication and relationship-building skills; gaining experience supporting students with diverse academic, behavioral, and developmental needs; learning how accommodations and individualized supports are implemented in a school setting; strengthening skills in teamwork, professionalism, confidentiality, and problem-solving; and gaining a better understanding of career opportunities in education, special education, behavioral support, and related helping professions.

This position is designed to provide meaningful, supervised experience while allowing the learner to make a positive contribution to the success of students in Tippecanoe School Corporation.

Responsibilities

The learner will participate in hands-on, supervised activities designed to build skills in education, special education, student support, and professional communication. While the learner will assist within the classroom setting, the experience will include structured learning opportunities and projects beyond the routine responsibilities of a standard employee.

Tasks and projects may include:

1. Observing and documenting instructional strategies used to support students with varying academic and learning needs.
2. Working individually or in small groups with students to reinforce reading, mathematics, organization, and other academic skills under the direction of a licensed teacher.
3. Learning how accommodations, modifications, and individualized supports are implemented for students receiving special education services.
4. Assisting with the development or adaptation of instructional activities and materials to meet differing student needs.
5. Participating in classroom behavior-support strategies and reflecting with the supervising teacher on techniques that promote student engagement and success.
6. Learning how educators collect and use student performance data to monitor progress and adjust instruction.
7. Observing collaboration among special education teachers, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, and other school professionals.
8. Completing a career-exploration component that provides exposure to career pathways in teaching, special education, school counseling, school psychology, speech-language services, and other student-support professions.
9. Meeting regularly with the supervising teacher or mentor to discuss experiences, receive feedback, identify areas for growth, and connect classroom experiences to professional skills.
10. Completing a culminating reflection or project identifying strategies learned, skills developed, and potential applications to future education or career goals.

Administrative activities such as copying, organizing materials, filing, or other clerical tasks may occasionally be included as part of understanding classroom operations, but these activities will represent less than 25% of the learner's experience. The primary focus will be direct student support, skill development, observation, mentorship, and applied learning.

Qualifications

No prior experience in education is required. This opportunity is designed for an individual who is interested in gaining experience working with students and exploring careers in education, special education, or other helping professions.

The learner should have a willingness to learn, a positive and professional attitude, dependability, and an interest in working with middle school students. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are beneficial, along with the ability to follow directions, maintain confidentiality, work collaboratively with others, and develop supportive relationships with students.

The learner will receive training, supervision, and ongoing mentorship from experienced school staff. Prior classroom management, instructional, or special education experience is not expected. Skills related to supporting instruction, working with students with varying needs, implementing behavioral and academic supports, and understanding school procedures will be developed through the work-based learning experience.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Candidates who meet applicable requirements for highly qualified paraprofessional status may qualify for the higher hourly rate; however, previous professional experience in the field is not required.

Learning Objectives

1) Apply instructional support strategies by assisting individual students and small groups with academic activities under the direction of a licensed teacher.

2) Demonstrate effective communication and relationship-building skills when working with students, teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school staff.

3) Identify and use appropriate strategies for supporting students with diverse learning, behavioral, and developmental needs, including accommodations and individualized supports.

4) Develop an understanding of education practices, confidentiality requirements, student progress monitoring, and collaboration among school professionals.

5) Practice professional workplace skills such as dependability, teamwork, problem-solving, confidentiality, appropriate communication, and receiving and applying feedback.

6) Explore career pathways in education and student services by learning about roles such as special education teacher, general education teacher, school counselor, school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and other related professions.

Contact Information