Paraprofessional - Special Education

Lowell Community Charter Public School; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Lowell Community Charter Public School is seeking a Special Education Paraprofessional to work with students under the direction of supervising teachers. The role emphasizes providing physical help and emotional support to enable students to benefit from their placements.

The position requires an Associate Degree or equivalent, with 60 hours of college credits or paraprofessional testing, and experience with children is preferred. Confidentiality and collaboration with staff are essential.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree, 60 hours of college credits or proof of passage of the Paraprofessional Test.
• High School diploma required.
• Successful experience working with children preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with physical tasks as directed by supervisor.
• Reinforce reading, math, science, and social studies or daily living skills.
• Support teacher with reinforcement strategies; collect data as assigned.
• Aid communication between home and school.
• Participate in ongoing staff development.
• Help plan scheduling and prepare materials.
• Communicate with teachers about student needs and progress.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Cover the class and supervise lunches as needed.

Skills

Reading reinforcement

Math reinforcement

Data collection

Communication with families

Education

Associates Degree, 60 hours of college credits or proof of passage of the Paraprofessional Test

Job description

Position Title: Special Education Paraprofessional

Department: Student Support Services

Reports To: Director of Student Support Services/ Grade Level Principal

SUMMARY: The special education paraprofessional will work closely with one or a group of special needs students on a regular basis in order to provide them with the physical help and emotional support they need to gain the full benefits from their educational placement under the direction of the supervising teacher(s).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. To assist students(s) to whom assigned in any physical tasks directed by supervisor, assigned teacher or principal.
• 2. Special education paraprofessionals give reinforcement to students in the areas of reading, math, science, and social studies or other areas including activities of daily living as directed by supervisor.
• 3. Support the teacher on methods, materials and strategies for reinforcements on target children. The teacher will plan all lessons and be responsible for instruction. Collect data as assigned by teachers or ancillary service providers.
• 4. Aid teacher, when requested, in communication between home and school.
• 5. Participate in on-going staff development.
• 6. Help plan scheduling for meeting the needs of students. Help collect and/or prepare materials to support student learning.
• 7. Communicate regularly with teachers as to student's needs and progress.
• 8. Treat all information about the school, teachers, children and their families as strictly confidential.
• 9. Cover the class and supervise lunches as needed.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associates Degree, 60 hours of college credits or proof of passage of the Paraprofessional Test. Successful experience working with children preferred. High School diploma required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as textbooks, teacher manuals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of students or faculty

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of the school requirements and Board of Education policies. Ability to operate computers and related software or willingness to learn computer hardware and software skills PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk or stand. The employee may be required to offer physical assistance including help with toileting, transferring the student to from wheelchair, or during physical education activities.

Benefit Eligible

The Lowell Community Charter Public School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, homelessness, or limited English proficiency in administering its educational policies, admissions policies, and the full-range of school-administered programs.