Jasper County Primary School
Special Education Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional Requirements
All Georgia Paraprofessionals must hold a valid state license issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). Georgia educators who hold a valid professional certificate may serve as Paraprofessionals without holding a specific Paraprofessional license.
An individual must be employed as a Paraprofessional in a Georgia local unit of administration ( LUA ) in order to qualify for a Paraprofessional license, which is valid for five years. In addition to employment, the applicant must meet one of the following qualifications :
- Hold an associate's degree or higher in any subject from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution;
- Have completed 2 years (60 semester hours or 100 quarter hours) of college coursework above the remedial level at a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution with a grade of "C" or better;
- Hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent and have passed the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment.
If you are interested in obtaining a Paraprofessional license, you must first seek employment with a Georgia school, which will require a criminal record check. Your certification application package will be submitted by your employer.
Listed below are the required documents / assessments needed to complete your application package :
Initial Certificate and License Application for Employed EducatorsVerification of Lawful Presence documentation (must be notarized) and c opy of Identification is requiredGACE Educator Ethics AssessmentVerification of meeting minimum education requirements. Official Transcripts from all Colleges / Universities attended. Transcripts must be emailed directly from the College / UniversityOfficial High School transcript or a copy of High School DiplomaGACE Paraprofessional Assessment, if not exempt by education (60 semester hours or 100 quarter hours with a grade "C" or better)Click here for GaPSC Paraprofessional Requirements
Click here for GACE Paraprofessional Assessment Information
BASIC FUNCTION / PURPOSE :
To assist, support, and work closely with teachers, administrators, and other team members in providing a quality instructional program to continuously improve student achievement.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
Effectively observes assigned work hoursFollows the daily schedule as prescribedAdjusts to work assignments and / or schedule changesWorks with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced and outlined by the teacherProvides extra assistance to students with exceptionalities, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and / or mental disabilities, and 504 PlansAssists as directed by the supervising teacher in the effort to successfully maintain students with special needs in an integrated setting, as determined by the IEP teamAssists the teacher in preparing materials and equipment for direct instructional activity, including locating, copying, collating, distributing and / or grouping materials to support instructional activities planned by the teacherAssists identified students with transporting materials or supplies as neededAssists identified students with specific personal and physical needsAssists with bulletin boards and decorations for instructional purposes and for special eventsSupervises students in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field tripsCommunicates clearly and positively with students and all stakeholdersPerforms assigned non-instructional classroom duties, such as snack time, toileting, class change and clothing routinesServes as a source of information and assists any substitute teacher assigned to the classAttends staff meetings, and serves on committees as requiredPerforms other duties as assigned by the supervising teacher, Principal or his / her designeeDemonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in school environment and communityMaintains a cooperative working relationship with Principal, supervising teacher, students, parents, staff and publicParticipates in professional learning activities which align with school improvement goalsDemonstrates a positive attitude toward work assignmentProlonged periods of standing or sitting could be requiredAccepts responsibility for the work assigned and accepts constructive criticismOther duties and responsibilities as assignedEDUCATION
Must meet educational requirements as related to certification
