TITLE: ELD Bilingual Paraprofessional

 

JOB GOAL: Provide language support and instructional assistance to help English Learner (EL) students meet academic expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one of the following:

• Associate degree or higher
• Completion of two years of study at an accredited institution of higher education (48 college credit hours)
• Passing score on the ParaPro Assessment
• Bilingual proficiency in English and the designated service language, with strong oral and written communication skills in both languages.

 

REPORTS TO: Principal and assigned certified teacher(s)

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Communicate effectively in English and the targeted language of service, both orally and in writing.
• Provide school-related translation and interpretation services between English and the appropriate home language.
• Work cooperatively with assigned certified teacher(s) as part of the instructional team.
• Participate in meetings, training sessions, and professional learning opportunities designed to support EL students.
• Follow oral and written directions accurately.
• Demonstrate care, professionalism, and sound judgment in working with students.
• Maintain flexibility, dependability, and a cooperative work style.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

With or without reasonable accommodation, the employee must be able to:

• Lift, carry, push, or move materials and objects weighing up to 25–50 pounds.
• Bend at the waist, kneel, stand, and walk for extended periods.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist one or more certified teachers by working with individual students, pairs of students, or small groups of EL students in the classroom or other assigned learning environments.
• Support instruction by communicating with students in English or the appropriate home language, as required by the learning situation.
• Help prepare work areas, displays, and instructional materials; operate audiovisual and other educational equipment; and perform routine clerical tasks related to classroom activities.
• Confer with teachers regarding instructional programs and materials that support EL student success.
• Learn, apply, and explain policies and procedures related to school and program activities.
• When required, perform lunchroom, playground, and bus duties under the supervision of certified staff.
• Communicate professionally and maintain positive working relationships with students, parents, staff, members of ethnic communities, and the public.
• Support home-school communication by providing translation and interpretation services for families with limited English proficiency, including phone calls, notes, letters, and parent conferences.
• Follow EL students into mainstream classrooms, under the leadership of a certified teacher, to provide language support and reinforce comprehension of classroom instruction.

ELD BILINGUAL PARAPROFESSIONALS MUST NOT:

• Make curriculum decisions independently.
• Teach students independently without the direct supervision of a certified teacher.
• Provide answers in a student's home language by using an answer key or teacher's manual.
• Administer tests without teacher supervision.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Nine-month year. Salary will be determined according to the current salary schedule.

EVALUATION: Performance in this position will be evaluated annually in accordance with Board policy governing the evaluation of paraprofessional personnel.

Approved by:____________________________________________________________ Date_________

Reviewed and agreed to by:_________________________________________________ Date_________