Paraeducator, Founders Memorial School (Grades 3-5)

Essex Westford School District; Essex Junction (VT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

School vacation days

Medical and dental insurance

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan

Job summary

Essex Westford School District seeks a full-time Paraeducator (Mainstream IA) to support 3–5 grade students at Founders Memorial School in Essex Junction, Vermont. You will work alongside teachers to implement instructional strategies and help students access learning in an inclusive classroom.

You will collect data, support behavior plans, and assist with mobility and personal care as needed. Strong communication and collaboration in a school setting are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience working with elementary-age children is preferred.
• Ability to follow directions and implement educational and behavior programs.
• Ability to accurately collect data and maintain confidentiality.
• Physical capacity to support student mobility, positioning, and care needs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a school team.
• Ability to support students with a variety of academic, behavioral, physical, and personal care needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with classroom activities and academic tasks, implementing IEP-driven strategies.
• Support and monitor student progress, behavior plans, and peer interactions.
• Provide mobility, positioning, and personal care assistance as needed.
• Collect and document data related to student performance and goals.
• Supervise students throughout the school day, including transitions and meals.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to maintain a safe, inclusive learning environment.

Skills

Data collection

Confidentiality

Communication

Teamwork

Student support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree or two years of college

Job description

Essex Westford School District FOUNDERS MEMORIAL SCHOOL - Essex Junction, Vermont Open in Google Maps

Paraeducator, Founders Memorial School (Grades 3-5)

Essex Westford School District FOUNDERS MEMORIAL SCHOOL - Essex Junction, Vermont Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Essex Westford School District

Job Details

Job ID: 5947381
Application Deadline: Oct 22, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted: Oct 01, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Essex Westford School District (EWSD) is seeking a full-timeParaeducator (Mainstream Instructional Assistant)to support students in grades 3–5 at Founders Memorial School.

Paraeducators play an important role in helping students access learning, participate in the school community, and build independence in an inclusive classroom environment. Working alongside classroom teachers and support staff, paraeducators provide academic, behavioral, and other student support based on individual needs. Within EWSD, this position is also known as a Mainstream Instructional Assistant (Mainstream IA).

This position is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with children, building positive relationships, and being part of a collaborative school team.

What You’ll Do

• Support Learning: Assist students with classroom activities and academic tasks, implement IEP-driven instructional strategies, and adapt or modify materials in collaboration with teachers.
• Support Student Success: Implement student-specific support and behavior plans, encourage positive peer interactions, and help students develop independence and successful school routines.
• Provide Physical & Personal Care Support: Assist students with mobility, positioning, personal care, and other health-related needs as appropriate.
• Collect & Track Data: Accurately collect and document information related to student academic performance, behavior, and progress. Assist with informal assessments and monitoring of student goals.
• Supervise Students: Provide support and supervision throughout the school day, including classroom activities, lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other instructional or non-instructional settings.
• Collaborate as a Team: Work closely with teachers and other school staff to provide consistent support and contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay: $23.51+ per hour, based on experience

EWSD offers excellent benefits, including:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid school vacation days — full-time school-year employees receive five paid school vacation days each school year, increasing to eight paid days beginning in the 2027–28 school year
• Medical and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan with up to a 6% employer contribution

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with elementary-age children
• Ability to follow directions and implement educational and behavior programs
• Ability to accurately collect data and maintain confidentiality
• Physical capacity to support student mobility, positioning, and care needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a school team
• Ability to support students with a variety of academic, behavioral, physical, and personal care needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or two years of college coursework
• Previous experience working with children in an educational or support setting
• Training or experience in special education, behavior support, or inclusive practices
• Familiarity with IEP implementation and data collection procedures

Our district vision is: "Growing hearts and minds, for a better today and tomorrow: every day, every way, every one."

EWSD is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Successful candidates must be committed to working effectively with diverse community populations and are expected to strengthen such capacity if hired. Candidates with experience working in another country, the ability to speak more than one language fluently, and/or Peace Corps experience are encouraged to apply to help contribute to a diversity of thinking and grow our organizational practices.

EWSD conducts thorough screenings of all applicants being recommended for hire, which may include contacting references not listed on your application. Selected individuals are subject to criminal records background checks and child and adult abuse registry checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon acceptable results of these checks at the sole discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Position Type: Full-Time School Year
Salary: $23.51 to $24.13 Per Hour
Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Job Requirements

• High School/Trade School degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Sara Jablonski , Principal
• FOUNDERS MEMORIAL SCHOOL
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]