1:1 Vision Support Special Education Paraprofessional

HOURS: 6.5 hours per day 

Position Summary

The 1:1 Vision Support Paraprofessional provides individualized educational and personal support to a student with a visual impairment under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher, special education staff, and building principal. The paraprofessional assists the student in accessing instruction, navigating the school environment, participating in classroom and school activities, and developing independence while maintaining the student's dignity, safety, and confidentiality.

The paraprofessional's role is to facilitate access and independence, not to replace instruction provided by certified staff or perform tasks the student can reasonably complete independently.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide individualized, one-on-one support throughout the school day as outlined in the student's IEP and/or other applicable educational plans.

• Assist the student in accessing classroom instruction, assignments, materials, technology, and assessments.

• Read aloud or verbally describe visual information when appropriate and as directed by the student's educational team.

• Assist with adapting or organizing classroom materials so they are accessible to the student.

• Support the use of assistive technology, magnification devices, Braille materials, audio resources, or other accessibility tools as directed by appropriate staff.

• Reinforce skills and strategies taught by the classroom teacher, special education teacher, or building principal.

• Allow adequate time for the student to process information and complete tasks independently.

• Assist the student with safe navigation of the school building, classroom, hallways, cafeteria, playground, and other school environments as appropriate.

• Provide appropriate visual or environmental information without unnecessarily physically guiding the student.

• Help the student become familiar with changes to the physical environment, classroom arrangement, schedules, and routines.

• Support safe participation in assemblies, field trips, fire drills, lockdown drills, recess, physical education, and other school activities.

• Follow mobility and orientation techniques established by qualified personnel.

• Encourage the student to develop self-advocacy, problem-solving, organizational, and independent-living skills.

• Provide the least amount of assistance necessary for the student to successfully participate.

• Avoid over-assisting, speaking for the student, or completing work on the student's behalf.

• Encourage the student to communicate directly with teachers and peers.

• Respect the student's preferences regarding assistance, communication, and personal space.

• Facilitate the student's participation in classroom discussions, cooperative learning, extracurricular activities, and social opportunities.

• Support positive interactions with peers while avoiding unnecessary attention to the student's disability.

• Help ensure that the student has equitable access to classroom and school experiences.

• Maintain a supportive, respectful, and age-appropriate relationship with the student. 

• Work collaboratively with classroom teachers, special education personnel, and school administrators.

• Communicate relevant observations regarding the student's academic access, safety, behavior, and needs to the appropriate staff.

• Follow directions and strategies established by the student's educational team.

• Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development as required.

• Maintain accurate records or documentation when requested by supervising staff. 

• Follow all school safety procedures and emergency protocols.

• Provide assistance with personal care or other student needs only when assigned and authorized by the school and consistent with the student's educational plan.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

• Report safety concerns, injuries, changes in student needs, or other significant concerns promptly to the appropriate staff member.   

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding student information in accordance with school policies and applicable laws.

• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, patience, flexibility, and respect.

• Protect the student's privacy and dignity.

• Refrain from discussing student information with unauthorized individuals, including other students or members of the community.

• Follow all district policies, procedures, and directives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; additional education or paraprofessional certification preferred.

• Must have successfully earned a Bachelor or Associate degree from an accredited college or university or have taken and passed the Work Keys test prior to June 1, 2017. After June 1, 2017 must have ETS Paraprofessional Assessmentwith a passing score of 460.
• Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of the job. 

• Previous experience working with children or students with disabilities preferred.

• Experience working with individuals who have visual impairments is preferred but may not be required.

• Ability to learn and use accessibility and assistive technology.

• Ability to communicate effectively with students and educational staff.

• Ability to follow written and verbal directions and implement strategies consistently.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

• Ability to remain attentive and supportive while encouraging student independence.

• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position, including assisting with safe navigation of the school environment as needed.

• Understanding of visual impairments and their impact on educational access.

• Familiarity with Braille, tactile materials, magnification, screen readers, or other assistive technology.

• Understanding of orientation and mobility principles.

• Experience supporting students with IEPs.

• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to adapt to changing student needs and classroom environments.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts; ability to compute percentages and to interpret graphs.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Personal computer skills necessary. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required talk or hear and sometimes traverse and sit. In case of emergency must be able to traverse about school campus and lead students to safety.    

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs. such as boxes of books and AV/laptop carts.  The employee is directly responsible for safety, well-being, or work output of other people.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics describes here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is frequently moderate to loud. The employee must work with the public and other staff, continuously meeting multiple demands from several people.

Current Bargaining members may apply on-line at https://www.anchorbay.misd.net/ 

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Anchor Bay School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, age, national origin, sex, marital status, or handicap. 

Anchor Bay School District is an equal opportunity employer