Results-Oriented Job Descriptions:
How Paraeducators Help Students Achieve

Sample Description for a Special Needs Classroom Assistant

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Assist special needs children in all self-help activities by:

• Assisting students in transitional skills, playtime to nap time, etc.
• Meeting and greeting students arriving on buses at transportation areas
• Assisting special needs students at locker areas
• Assisting children with mobility difficulties in the classroom and from area to area as needed
• Taking individual children to special classes
• Assisting special needs students with correction of work

Prepare special needs classrooms by:

• Maintaining necessary special needs equipment and supplies as directed
• Preparing instructional material
• Lifting and securing children safely as necessary
• Modifying activities appropriately for special needs children
• Washing dishes, bleaching tables, washing placemats, etc.

Monitor and provide documentation of child's performance by:

• Maintaining informational charts on student behavior and academic progress
• Assisting with the correction and grading of student papers and tests
• Recording daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly student information
• Monitoring students in designated areas where necessary
• Monitoring students in special classrooms
• Removing students for behavioral disturbances
• Removing a student for emotional reasons
• Recording performance comments as directed
• Filing proof of special training, in-service hours, etc., with office for state inspector
• Communicating with the school office
• Making copies of material throughout the day as needed
• Sorting parent communication regarding individual student needs
• Distributing parent-teacher communication
• Maintaining strict confidentiality at all times

Assist students with personal hygiene by:

• Assisting with toileting and toilet training
• Teaching and reminding children to regularly wash face and hands
• Diapering according to OSHA-approved method
• Encouraging good table manners
• Assisting with cooking activities
• Assisting with eating and nutrition needs throughout the day
• Serving snacks
• Helping children feed themselves
• Cleaning up after snacks
• Changing soiled clothes

Assist with communication between parents and school by:

• Getting to know parents
• Communicating positively with parents
• Checking e-mail and voice mail for messages from parents
• Preparing and distributing newsletter to parents and other teachers
• Training tutors and parent volunteers
• Filing necessary documents and notes
• Gathering parent contact information
• Sorting parent communication regarding individual student needs
• Communicating paperwork with the school office
• Completing all paperwork, time sheets, schedules, etc.

Assist Teacher with all School Events and Functions by:

• Assisting with field trip activities
• Assisting with assemblies and other special functions
• Assisting with Back-to-School Night
• Assisting with PTA presentations

The End