Do you want to make a difference in the life of a student? Our school is seeking caring, consistent, adults to join our paraeducator team. Paraeducators work closely with teachers to provide extra support to students.

The Maize Special Education Cooperative serves students in the Maize and Renwick school districts. While this position works at Colwich Elementary School, they are employed by Maize.

The Inter Related/Instructional Support (IRIS) para works primarily with students that have learning disabilities but the students supported could have any type of disability. The environment could be in the general and/or special education classrooms as well as with one or more students. Typically responsibilities could include note taking, assisting with content review, reading material out loud, helping the student stay on task or even escorting them to an alternate location for a quieter place to work.

Paras working in the Life Skills program may work with students who have a combination of disabilities that require extensive communication and/or physical and mobility support in order to meaningfully participate in the academic setting. Students frequently have some degree of physical or neurological disability in which their cognitive involvement requires them to be supported with intense and sustained resources throughout the day. This is one of the most physically demanding positions. Lifting/transferring, feeding and toileting are common responsibilities for all staff. All training is provided and nurses are on staff to delegate responsibilities as well as support the medical needs of student

Perks of Working for Maize

School schedule – paras work when students are in session along with a couple of additional days
Holidays off – enjoy a week at Thanksgiving, two weeks around Christmas, and Spring Break
Paid Leave –12 sick days and 4 personal days a year
Benefits – working more than 25 hours per week makes you eligible for subsidized health benefits along with a variety of other benefits
Retirement - employees working more than 630 hours a year participate in the KPERS retirement plan

Successful Candidates

Pass a background check
Have a current TB test
Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
Are strong team players
Possess basic computer and math skills
Must enjoy a fast pace environment
Can spend 80% of their day standing and 20% walking – Time is spent lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and using finger dexterity
Maintain regular and acceptable attendance/punctuality

Paraeducator - Special Education (CES)