LINKS SPED Para Educator

Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid sick leave

Professional development opportunities

Para-to-teacher pipeline program

Job summary

The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership is seeking a Special Education Paraprofessional. This role is vital in supporting students who need additional help in the Springfield Public Schools. Responsibilities include implementing rigorous academic and behavior interventions and leading tutoring sessions.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or GED, a commitment to student success, and some college coursework or assessments completed. The position offers competitive wages and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Passionate belief in SPS's mission and values.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Current authorization to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation of academic and behavior interventions.
• Support a small case load of students with high needs.
• Lead individual and small group tutoring sessions.

Skills

High achievement

Interpersonal communication

Public speaking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Sixty college credit hours or associate's degree

Passing score on standardized assessments

Job description

Open until filled

Paraprofessionals in the Springfield Public Schools enjoy a substantial benefit package that includes competitive wages, paid sick leave, and professional development opportunities, including a robust para‑to‑teacher pipeline program.

Role

The Special Education Paraprofessional holds primary responsibility for overseeing the implementation of effective, rigorous academic and behavior intervention systems with a small case load of students. The Paraprofessional works closely with students who need additional supports, supporting those students, their families, and their teachers to achieve success in the classroom.

Specific Responsibilities

• Work alongside an experienced special educator to support a small case load of students, driving the academic achievement of students with moderate to severe need.
• Implement an effective, rigorous academic and behavior intervention system with a small case load of students.
• Provide consistent and high academic and behavioral expectations.
• Support student mastery of state, city, and school academic and behavioral standards.
• Lead daily individual and small group tutoring sessions.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.

Qualifications

• A passionate belief in SPS's mission, values, and educational model.
• An extraordinarily high bar for student behavior and expectations.
• An eagerness to set ambitious, challenging, and tangible goals, and a relentless drive to achieve them.
• An ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment and a capacity to remain calm and focused when faced with unexpected challenges.
• Proven track record of high achievement.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including strong public speaking skills.
• A sense of humility in the face of success.
• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom.
• A high‑school diploma or GED.
• Sixty (60) credit hours of college coursework or an associate’s degree, or a passing score on one of the following formalized standardized assessments: ParaPro Assessment or WorkKeys Certificate of Proficiency for Teacher Assistants.
• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
• A passing score on the Work Keys Exams in the following areas:
• Reading: 5
• Math: 4
• Writing: 3

Benefits

Competitive wages, paid sick leave, professional development opportunities, and a robust para‑to‑teacher pipeline program.

Non‑Discrimination Statement

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, or military service. The district also prohibits retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal‑opportunity investigation.