Paraeducator – Pre-Kindergarten

Wethersfield Public Schools; Wethersfield (CT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Wethersfield Public Schools in Wethersfield, CT, seeks a Paraeducator for the Pre-K classroom. This 10-month, 35-hour week position supports the lead teacher with a safe, play-based learning environment for young children.

The role emphasizes helping students with routines, social-emotional development, and early literacy through small-group activities and guided practice, in alignment with early childhood best practices and CT standards.

Qualifications

• Hold an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, or have completed the ParaPro Assessment; Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Child Development preferred

Responsibilities

• Support students in following daily Pre‑K routines such as arrival, choice time/play‑based centers, snack, cleanup, and dismissal while promoting independence
• Assist with smooth transitions between activities and school spaces by providing visual, verbal, and physical prompts
• Model and reinforce social‑emotional development aligned with best practices, including turn-taking, cooperative play, conflict resolution, and positive peer interactions
• Help students develop self‑regulation by implementing calming strategies, sensory supports, and proactive behavior prompts
• Participate in professional learning related to early childhood development and grant guidelines
• Provide early literacy and language support, including phonological awareness, oral language development, and interactive story reading
• Assist with early learning tasks across domains by supporting play‑based learning, guided practice, and small‑group activities
• Facilitate purposeful play and learning centers by encouraging exploration, problem‑solving, and language use during child‑initiated activities
• Encourage independence with self‑help skills such as toileting, handwashing, outerwear management, and organizing personal cubbies
• Assist teacher with observing and collecting observational data on student progress
• Interact positively with staff and students
• Assist with recess, supervision, restroom breaks, emergency drills, assemblies, field trips, etc.
• Maintain the strictest confidence concerning personnel, students, and operational concerns
• Promote good public relations by professional appearance, attitude, and conversation
• Report all cases of suspected child abuse to appropriate school personnel and proper government authority
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by certified staff, Principal, and/or other Administrators

Skills

Preschool experience

Educational setting experience

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

60 college credit hours

ParaPro Assessment

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Child Development preferred

Job description

ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY

Wethersfield Public Schools

Wethersfield, CT

Paraeducator October 2026

The Wethersfield Public Schools partner with the community and families in fostering our students’ ongoing education in a safe and engaging learning environment. Our schools are demographically diverse and are characterized by respectful behavior, trusting relationships, caring educators/administrators/staff, and continuous learning.

Position: Paraeducator – Pre-Kindergarten (Smart Start Grant Funded)

Location: Charles Wright (Pre‑K Classroom)

Reports To: Building Principal/Supervisor of Special Education

Start Date: October, 2026

Compensation: $20.54-$25.12 per hour worked

Work Year: 10-month position, 35 hours per week (late August to mid-June)

Daily Hours: Monday � Friday (start and end times may vary; includes 30-minute unpaid lunch)

Application Date: Posting will remain open until filled

Benefits:

As a paraeducator working more than 30 hours per week, you will be eligible for various benefits including paid sick time, paid personal days, and retirement benefits. Health care, life insurance, or disability benefits are also associated with this position. This position is affiliated with the secretary / clerical / paraeducator/tutor union and will be eligible for all terms and conditions of employment for tutors as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement (2024-2027).

The Wethersfield Public Schools has openings for 35 hours per week Pre‑Kindergarten Paraeducators under the Connecticut Smart Start Grant program. The Pre‑K Paraeducator supports the classroom teacher in creating a safe, structured, play-based, and nurturing learning environment for young learners. This position assists children in developing independence with routines, transitions, social-emotional development, and self-regulation throughout the school day. The paraeducator provides instructional support in alignment with the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) through small-group play, guided discovery, and differentiated assistance. Collaboration with the teacher and consistent support of early childhood best practices are essential to promoting student growth and school readiness.

Candidates must be aware that the district reserves the right to move paraeducators between assignments/schools during the school year at its discretion in order to efficiently support and serve our students. Additionally, some assignments may require the paraeducator to be assigned to a daily work schedule beyond the student school day in order to provide necessary adult supervision for students at all times (i.e., bus ride supervisor before/after school).

Duties of the position include the following:

Support students in following daily Pre‑K routines such as arrival, choice time/play‑based centers, snack, cleanup, and dismissal while promoting independence

Assist with smooth transitions between activities and school spaces by providing visual, verbal, and physical prompts

Model and reinforce social‑emotional development aligned with the CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS), including turn‑taking, cooperative play, conflict resolution, and positive peer interactions

Help students develop self‑regulation by implementing calming strategies, sensory supports, and proactive behavior prompts

Participate in professional learning related to early childhood development, the CT ELDS, and Smart Start grant guidelines

Provide early literacy and language support, including phonological awareness, oral language development, and interactive story reading

Assist with early learning tasks across domains (math, science, creative arts) by supporting play‑based learning, guided practice, and small‑group activities

Facilitate purposeful play and learning centers by encouraging exploration, problem‑solving, and language use during child‑initiated activities

Encourage independence with self‑help skills such as toileting, handwashing, outerwear management, and organizing personal cubbies

Assist teacher with observing and collecting observational data on student progress

Interact positively with staff and students

Assist with recess, supervision, restroom breaks, emergency drills, assemblies, field trips, etc.

Maintain the strictest confidence concerning personnel, students, and operational concerns

Promote good public relations by professional appearance, attitude, and conversation

Report all cases of suspected child abuse to appropriate school personnel and proper government authority

Perform other relevant duties as assigned by certified staff, Principal, and/or other Administrators

Qualifications:

Hold an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, or have completed the ParaPro Assessment; Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Child Development preferred;

Experience working with preschool‑aged children in an educational setting

Position Requirements:

Regular requirement to sit, stand, walk, read, hear, see, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, crouch, kneel, climb, and stoop

Frequent interruption of duties by staff, students, visitors, and/or phone

Occasional requirement to lift, carry, push, and/or pull various supplies and/or equipment up to a maximum of 10 pounds

Assist in the restraint, movement, or other emergency weight‑bearing assistance of students

Wethersfield Public School System-Nondiscrimination Policy

The Wethersfield Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons and equal access to Boy Scouts of America and to other designated youth groups. The Wethersfield Public Schools does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity of expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws. The Department of Education does not unlawfully discriminate in employment and licensing against qualified persons with a prior criminal conviction. Inquiries regarding the Wethersfield Public School System’s nondiscrimination policies and practices should be directed to: Title IX Coordinator, Director of Special Services, 127 Hartford Avenue, Wethersfield, CT 06109