Assignment Location: This position is an on-call position and will work where needed throughout the Cooperative’s eight alternative programs. See below for details.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Special Education Paraprofessional works with students assigned to the special education program or service, under the direction of the licensed staff and performs duties to support the program in general. This includes, but is not limited to providing data-driven instructional support, personal care and behavioral assistance to students with special needs. Depending on student needs, responsibilities and duties may involve assisting and guiding students daily living skills, implementing behavior plans and /or monitoring and enforcing appropriate skills in accordance with instructional lesson plans and student Individualized Education Plans (IEP).

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school degree, GED, or equivalent experience

Additional Requirement: Holds one of the following to meet the Highly Qualified Paraprofessional requirement:

At least two years of college credits (usually 60 credits in Minnesota)
An AA, AS, AAS (or higher) degree
Obtain the PELSB Paraprofessional Credential
Passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment
Passing score of 65% (or higher) for the Instructional Support test and 70% (or higher) for the Knowledge and Application test on the Minnesota Service Cooperatives ParaEducator Proctored Test
*MAWSECO offers prospective candidates access to online training materials and would proctor the test*

ABOUT MAWSECO

MAWSECO is an agency of seven-member school districts (Annandale, Dassel-Cokato, Delano, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Litchfield, Maple Lake, and Rockford) that have joined together to provide quality services in the area of special education. We operate eight specialized educational programs, providing Federal Setting IV programming and support for students in residential care. Our mission is to provide quality special education leadership, services, and support that always meets or exceeds the expectations of those we serve. At MAWSECO, we believe each person has intrinsic value and the capacity to contribute to society.

For more information about each of our programs, please see below:

ABOUT CORNERSTONES

Cornerstones is a Federal Setting IV special education program located at the Wright Technical Center in Buffalo, MN and managed by MAWSECO.

The program is designed to meet the needs of adolescents, grades 9-12 with emotional and/or behavioral special education needs that cannot be met within their home school district. In addition to academics, programming includes social-emotional learning classroom instruction with licensed professionals based on the individual student’s educational needs. Students are bussed by their local school district and attend school from 8:00 to 2:30 daily.

The students' IEP goals are the focus of learning. In addition, students learn skills to help students succeed and reintegrate into their home district. Programming may include services within the home school district, a work site, Wright Technical Center or a combination of options as appropriate for the student.

ABOUT EASTERN WRIGHT

The Eastern Wright Program is an intermediate level (grades 6-8) federal setting IV special education program designed to meet the needs of students who experience significant emotional and/or behavioral disabilities. The program is located in the Wright Technical Center. The primary goal of the program is to provide social skills and educational support to reduce stress and acquire skills in the emotional, behavioral, social and academic areas and return to the mainstream school as soon as possible. By reaching goals determined by the IEP team, which includes the parents, the Eastern Wright program is able to positively affect the future development and success of each student served.

ABOUT JOURNEYS

The Journeys program is located at the MAWSECO Education Center in Howard Lake and serves children with behavioral needs in grades K-4. It is a multi-district program and is managed by Meeker & Wright Special Education Cooperative.

Journeys serves young students with behavioral needs that cannot be met within their home school district. Typically, these students have not been successful in a less restrictive environment. Students receive academic classes, social and life skills which are individualized to foster learning and successful interactions with peers and adults. Most students function within the average range of intelligence, but may have learning disabilities or discrepancies in their academic achievement. Students are recommended for these services by their IEP team and with the approval of district administration.

The students reintegrate, as appropriate, back to their home school as recommended by the IEP team. Referrals are completed and submitted to the district special education coordinator and reviewed and approved by the Journeys Referral Team.

ABOUT STEP

STEP (Student Transitioning in Educational Programming) is an educational program for young adults ages 18-22 with special needs. It is a community-based special education program emphasizing work experience and independent living skills. Students are eligible for STEP if they meet the following criteria:

At least 18 years old
Currently receive special education services and have completed the 12th grade in their district
Have a current Individualized Education Plan with unmet goals in the area of transition

ABOUT TREK

Trek is a federal setting IV special education program at the MAWSECO Education Center in Howard Lake, MN designed for students who have been identified as having severe communication or neurological disorders. The target population for this program includes students Kindergarten through Age 22 who have been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Developmental Cognitive Disorders and exhibit behavioral patterns which negatively affect the ability to interact with peers or adults in the regular school setting. Trek provides program solutions to effectively create an environment of successful learners.

ABOUT SHOLUND SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Sholund School for Girls is an educational program located on the grounds of Village Ranch, Inc., a residential facility for females, licensed by the Department of Corrections. The educational program serves students from the residence as well as day students living in local communities. Students attending Sholund range from 12-18 years of age. Some students have pre-identified disabilities in the area of Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), or have other learning difficulties. School staff are experienced, and trained to educate and nurture students with these unique needs. Students who qualify for special education services have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) developed by the student’s team.

Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative (MAWSECO), ISD #938, serves as the fiscal agent and provides staff supervision, staff development and educational support. Students may be offered mainstream opportunities through the Annandale School District, or their local school district, on an individual needs basis as identified by the student’s team. Opportunities might vary from one block/hour to full-day participation.

ABOUT WINGS ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

The Wings Alternative Program provides educational services to residents of the Wings Adolescent Treatment Center, a treatment center for chemical dependency for up to 18 adolescents 14 years and older (grades 7-12) from throughout Minnesota and from other states. Local students cannot attend this program.

ABOUT VILLAGE RANCH ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

Village Ranch Alternative Program (VRAP) is an educational program located on the grounds of Village Ranch, Inc., a residential facility for males, licensed by the Department of Corrections. The educational program serves students from the residence as well as day students living in local communities. Students attending VRAP range from 12-18 years of age. Some of the students have pre-identified disabilities in the area of Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), or have other learning difficulties. School staff are experienced, and trained to educate and nurture students with these unique needs. Students who qualify for special education services have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) developed by the student’s team.

Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative (MAWSECO), ISD # 938, serves as the fiscal agent and provides staff supervision, staff development and educational support. Students may be offered mainstream opportunities through the Dassel-Cokato School District #466, or their local school district, on an individual needs basis as identified by the student’s team. Opportunities might vary from one block/hour to full-day participation.

POSITION QUESTIONS

For specific inquiries regarding this role, please contact: Colleen Carlson, Director of Educational Programs by phone (612) 489-4082 or email ccarlson@mawseco.k12.mn.us

MAWSECO is an equal opportunity employer.

Substitute Paraprofessional (on call)