Early Learning Playgroup Associate - Crescent Heights

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 2, 2025

FTE: .9375

Hours per day: 7.5 hours per day plus a 30-minute lunch break for a total of 8 hours/day

Salary Level: PA6

ParaPro Test or 72 College Level Courses: $31.03 - $36.97

AA degree: $31.78 - $37.72

BA or higher degree: $32.03 - $37.97

Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools

Additional Information: This position requires completion and attaining of the state mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. The Paraeducator Certificate Program offers statewide standards-based training for all paraeducator/Education Support Professionals (ESP), and supports a career growth ladder for those who wish to advance their career as a paraeducator or pursue a teaching profession. Staff will be required to complete 28 hours of training on the Fundamental Course of Study provided by the district. The first two days of FCS training will be required to be completed within four months of the date of hire, and the second two days within six months of the date of hire, or by September 1 of the next school year. The general certificate is then earned by a paraeducator who completes ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training.

SUMMARY

This position serves as the Playgroup Associate instructor with primary responsibility for meeting the overall needs of children in the classroom. The instructor promotes each child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth, and establishes a positive child-oriented learning environment. The role may include providing guidance to other classroom staff. Responsibilities also include implementing child development, parent involvement, and parent education services in alignment with Early Learning Developmental Benchmarks, specially designed instruction. The instructor collaborates closely with Student Services staff and administrators to support student and family services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1.Establishes and maintains a safe, healthy, and creative learning environment in collaboration with the Student Services Staff and Administrators; selects and arranges appropriate learning materials.

2.Selects and uses a variety of activities in a developmentally appropriate scope and sequence to provide positive learning experiences to advance the students’ language, literacy, math skills, creativity, physical health, social, emotional development and individual development.

3.Collaborates with the Student Services staff to prepare and implements daily activity plans that enable students to function as individuals and group members among peers and adults; selects individualized and group activities based on information gathered through assessments, observation, interviewing, and screening; establishes learning goals and objectives in collaboration with the parents; tracks and records developmental progress and learning outcomes.

4.Models and monitors behavior in all program activities; redirects and teaches appropriate behavior to students as needed; may supervise students entering or leaving building between classes and boarding buses.

5.Collaborates with the Student Services staff to plan and promotes parent/family involvement in classroom and home learning activities; assists individual parents to overcome obstacles to participation; trains volunteers in techniques for positive interaction with children in the classroom and at home through modeling and effective management techniques.

6.Collaborates with the Student Services staff to promote and coordinates active parent involvement in their students’ educational program; coordinates and implements parent education; establishes and maintains a system of communication with families; may assist parent representatives with reports to the appropriate stakeholders.

7.Conduct parent conferences at the school site for each student during the year in collaboration with the Student Services staff to; discusses students’ progress and development with parents; uses written plans to provide effective home learning activities for the children; uses these opportunities to support parent involvement and education.

8.Collaborates with the Student Services administrators to assist families in accessing community and agency resources, ensuring that families requiring crisis intervention receive appropriate assistance; participates in recruitment and enrollment of children.

9.Maintains and updates documentation of program activities and confidential records of students; submits reports and/or records as requested; prepares for monitoring program self-assessments and federal reviews.

10.Leads classroom team meetings with support of Student Services administrator; coordinates transition of students to kindergarten; participates in staff support team meetings; coordinates with student services for appropriate planning and implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEPs).

11. Provides assistance to students requiring support with toileting and hygiene routines. Support students navigating the school environment safely and comfortably. Collaborate with educators and specialists to implement individualized care plans.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Attends meetings, classes, workshops, and seminars to maintain current developments in early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practices, and compliance with program rules and regulations, as needed or as assigned. Attends ongoing professional development opportunities provided by Student Services staff that support job duties.

2. Enters data into the appropriate child assessment system, as assigned.

3.Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.

4.Regular, reliable, predictable attendance and physical presence is an essential job requirement and

critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

May be required to work flexible hours; required to travel within the community to student homes; may be exposed to infectious disease; occasionally deals with difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; experiences high activity level; required to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, be mobile, run, sit, and stand sufficiently to promote curriculum and preserve the safety of the students; required to work outdoors in inclement weather; may be required to attend meetings beyond the work day.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Associatedegreeor72credithoursofpost-secondaryeducationorpassingstatetesttodemonstrateknowledge,

demonstrated ability to assist in instructing students, completion of the Paraeducator Fundamental Course of Study (FCS); one year of experience in working with special needs individuals who may have severe disabilities or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work and that meets federal and state requirements.

Licenses/Special Requirements

CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to be trained within the first 90 days of employment.

Required to attend District restraint training and maintain certification.

Maybe required to complete cleansing intermittent catheterization (CIC) training.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

Allowable Substitution

Equivalent combinations of education and work experience will be evaluated by the Human Resources department for comparability.

Knowledge of applicable Early Learning program and ability to support the philosophy and

components of the program.

Knowledge of childhood academic, social, emotional, and physical development.

Knowledge of early childhood education and child development.

Knowledge of child assessment and observation methods.

Knowledge of community resources related to family needs.

Skill in problem solving and handling crisis situations.

Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.

Skill in basic computer word processing.

Skill in effective child and group management strategies.

Ability to relate positively with families and small children.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable and regular attendance.

Ability to plan preschool curriculum to meet individual and group needs.

Ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.

Ability to lift and carry students, sit, stoop, bend, and run.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to produce and maintain documentation and records.

Ability to work with special needs students and adapt curriculum.

Ability to organize and promote parent education.

Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and multi-task.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Ability to work as a cooperative team member.

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate activities.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Tiffany Davis-Brantley, 253-571-1252,civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• Title IX Coordinator: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191,wgreer@tacoma.k12.wa.us
• 504 Coordinator: Elise Friedrich-Nielsen, 253-571-1065,efriedr@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.

Closing Date/Time: Tue, 17 Jun 2025

• 

• Tacoma Public Schools

• 253-571-1157

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