26-14 Special Education Paraprofessional

Hopkinton Public School District; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Hopkinton Public School District is seeking a Special Education Paraprofessional for the 2025-2026 school year. This full-time position (1.0) is located at Hopkins School, Hopkinton, MA, with a salary range of $22.82-$24.21 per hour per the collective bargaining agreement.

The paraprofessional will support students with IEPs and BIPs, assist teachers, and help with instructional and behavioral strategies to promote access to the curriculum.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or successful ParaPro exam.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Experience providing direct assistance to students to manage personal care if needed.
• Massachusetts DESE licensure in related field is a plus.
• Superintendent-approved alternatives to qualifications may apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide student and classroom support aligned with IEP/504 plans.
• Monitor behavior per IEP/BIP and document progress.
• Assist teachers and specialists in lesson preparation.
• Adapt teaching and learning strategies as needed.
• Provide verbal support, prompting, and modeling for activities.
• Assist with personal care if required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Clear communication

Written communication

Student support

Behavioral support

Education

Associate's Degree

Job description

TITLE: Special Education Paraprofessional

TYPE OF POSITION: Full-Time (1.0); 2025-2026 school year (start date 8/25/2025); salary per collective bargaining agreement, and commensurate with experience (range $22.82-$24.21/hour)

LOCATION: Hopkins School, Hopkinton, Massachusetts

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All qualified candidates

NOTE: More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement

It is the primary responsibility of all Paraprofessionals to provide social-emotional, behavioral, and instructional support and interventions to all students in all settings. Under the general direction of the Teacher, the Special Education Paraprofessional will provide classroom and student support by various means, dependent upon the needs of the students. The Paraprofessional collaborates with specialist(s) and classroom teacher(s) to deliver the necessary specialized instruction, curriculum modification and classroom accommodation needed for students to access curriculum frameworks. The incumbent contributes to the effectiveness of the teaching team using positive communication, problem-solving, and conflict management strategies, while maintaining the highest degree of confidentiality. The Special Education Paraprofessional reports to the Principal, with overall guidance provided by the Learning Specialist(s) and the classroom teacher(s).

DUTIES:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Provides overall support to the student(s) and classroom teacher(s) , based on the needs of the classroom and the students’ Individual Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plans, if applicable;
2. Provides monitoring of student behavior as indicated on the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP);
3. Assists classroom teacher(s) and specialist(s) in preparing for lessons and related materials;
4. Incorporates knowledge of student learning styles, child development, skills/knowledge acquisition rates of the student(s) to whom assigned, to assist student learning. Observes and records academic, behavioral and social data to measure progress;
5. Recognizes when teaching/learning and behavioral strategies are not successful and seeks the guidance of the classroom teacher(s) and specialist(s) to adapt assistance accordingly;
6. Provides verbal support, prompting, redirection and modeling in helping the student(s) access the activities of the curriculum;
7. If required, provides direct assistance to students to manage personal care;
8. Other duties, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To be considered qualified, candidates must have/be:

1. Associate's Degree, or successful completion of the ParaPro exam;
2. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to children and adults;
3. Experience with and willingness to provide direct assistance to students to manage personal care to improve daily life skills, if necessary;
4. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education in a related field, while not required, considered a plus;
5. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate.

The Hopkinton Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race or traits historically associated with race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment in its programs and activities. The Hopkinton Public School district is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in our workplace. The school system’s educational philosophy and personnel goals, including the goal of equal employment opportunity, will be considered in filling all positions.