Para Educator Special Education Services District-Wide at Apache Junction Unified School District in Apache Junction, AZ

Job description

Para Educator 2026-2027 Apache Junction Unified School District Full-Time | Non-Exempt, At-Will Salary Range: $17.50 $20.50 per hour Reports To: Classroom Teacher and/or Building Principal Location: District-Wide (Elementary and High School) Lead With Purpose. Serve With Heart. Put Kids First. Apache Junction Unified School District is seeking a caring, student-centered Para Educator I who believes deeply in our Kids First mission. We are looking for someone who builds positive relationships, supports instructional excellence, and contributes to a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school environment. Para Educators play a vital role in helping students succeed - academically, socially, and emotionally. If you are compassionate, dependable, and committed to supporting students and teachers, we would love to meet you. SUMMARY The Para Educator I supports classroom instruction under the direction and supervision of a certified teacher. This position assists in delivering instructional activities, reinforcing learning concepts, and supporting the overall educational program for elementary or secondary students. WHAT YOU'LL SUPPORT Champion AJUSD's Kids First mission through every interaction with students, staff, and families. Assist the classroom teacher in implementing instructional activities and supporting student learning. Build positive, supportive relationships with students to encourage engagement and success. Help maintain a safe, inclusive, and well-organized classroom environment. Support students needs with patience, empathy, and professionalism. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties may be assigned. Collaborates with the classroom teacher to coordinate instructional activities and support learning goals. Prepares instructional materials such as charts, graphs, bibliographies, and other teaching aids. Presents or reinforces subject matter using a variety of instructional techniques including discussion, demonstration, and guided practice. Assists students individually or in small groups with assignments to support understanding and skill development. Supports the teacher in maintaining accurate and up-to-date student records. Helps maintain a safe, orderly, and supportive classroom environment. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE High school diploma or GED required. One of the following is required: Associate's degree, or 60 college credits, or Passing score on the ParaPro Assessment. Valid Arizona Department of Public Safety IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card. Current First Aid and Hands-on CPR certification. Proof of required immunizations: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis, and negative Mantoux tuberculosis (TB) test. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, and procedural documents; write routine reports and correspondence; and communicate effectively with students, staff, and families. The role requires competency in basic mathematics, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, as well as computing rate, ratio, and percent and interpreting basic graphs. Candidates must also be able to apply common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagram-based instructions and address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Regularly required to stand, talk, hear, reach, and use hands for instructional tasks. Frequently required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or carry up to 25 pounds. Frequently moves throughout the classroom and campus. Occasionally required to sit. Vision requirements include peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. WORK EN