PreK Paraeducator

Sylvania; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Middletown Public Schools is seeking a paraeducator to provide one-on-one support to a student in the classroom. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful daily impact by helping a student build confidence, independence, and academic success.

The paraeducator will assist teaching staff, work with students who may be aggressive or disruptive, and help implement behavior support plans within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, 60 college credits, or have taken and passed the ParaPro Assessment.
• Degree must include 12 credits of early childhood coursework or a CDA credential.
• Experience with special education is preferred.
• Experience with positive reinforcement systems and behavioral strategies to maintain safe learning environments.
• Ability to relate to students and staff and support 3–21 year olds with varying needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers with instruction and behavioral interventions.
• Support students individually or in small groups to achieve academic goals.
• Operate audio-visual and basic classroom technology as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and progress data.
• Prepare instructional materials and supervise students during activities and field trips.

Skills

Relating to students and staff

Positive reinforcement

Behavioral strategies

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree or 60 college credits

12 childcare credits or CDA credential

Tools

Audio-visual equipment operation

Job description

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

We’re seeking a dedicated, compassionate paraeducator to provide one‑on‑one support to a student in the classroom setting. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful daily impact by helping a student build confidence, independence, and academic success.

If you’re passionate about education and want to play a vital role in a child’s growth, we encourage you to apply and become part of a collaborative, caring team.

Middletown Public Schools is looking forPreK Paraeducators

Mission Statement:

Middletown Public Schools cultivates the brilliance in each student.

Values and Belief Statements:

Empowerment: Middletown Public Schools empowers its students with the knowledge and skills to create lives brimming with purpose, passion and fulfillment.

Community: Middletown Public Schools harnesses the power of community by fostering an environment of mutual understanding and appreciation.

Growth: Middletown Public Schools encourages a culture of growth and exploration, inspiring lifelong learners.

Authenticity: Middletown Public Schools embraces each person’s authenticity and cultivates an inclusive culture that brings about a sense of belonging.

Location:

Board of Education - District

Reports to:

Building Principal; Case Manager; Special Education Supervisor and/or Director of Special Education & Pupil Services

Broad Function:

The purpose of this position is to assist teaching and administrative staff by performing duties associated with the classroom instruction, behavioral intervention for students and clerical functions.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Receives oral and written instruction from the supervising teacher(s).
• Assists students in achieving academic success.
• Works with students who may be aggressive or disruptive in class.
• Behavior support which includes physical management (training provided upon hire.)
• Personal care.
• Social integration.
• Consultation and collaboration with Special Education and Regular Education Teacher as well as related service staff.
• Any and all other duties as assigned by the Building Principal and/or Pupil Services department.
• Organizes work according to school schedule or special program.
• Receives information from teacher or other certified staff member and provides feedback to the teacher concerning student’s needs and progress.
• Reinforces subject matter with students according to the teacher's lesson plans.
• Assists students, individually or in groups with lesson assignments.
• Provides physical and instructional assistance to students in regular and special education classes in a variety of academic, vocational and other activities.
• Assists teachers in the supervision of students on field trips, if appropriate.
• Assists teachers in the preparation of materials for instruction.
• May sometimes monitor the classroom in absence of the teacher.
• May operate audio-visual and technological equipment.
• May be required to provide physical assistance to children including lifting, toileting, diapering, etc.
• May perform related duties as required, based on the educational needs of the students.
• Assist in carrying out positive reinforcement procedures and reactive strategies identified in a behavior support plan, such as prompting students to switch to functionally equivalent replacement behavior and debriefing during the school day.
• Assistant with data collection; take data on goals, continued and ongoing student progress when trained by appropriate staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and information.
• Performs other related functions as assigned or required.

Qualifications and Experience:

• An Associate Degree, two years of college (60 credits), or have taken and passed the ParaPro Assessment.
• Degreemust include 12 credits of early childhood courseworkontranscript, OR a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
• Experience in working with children who receive special education is preferred.
• Experience with special needs, issues, and requirements of special education students, Common Core Standards, Content Standards, District Curriculum, Response to Intervention.
• Experience with positive reinforcement systems and behavioral strategies to maintain safe learning environments.
• Ability to relate to students and staff in a positive and effective manner; to work with special needs children 3-21 which includes physically, emotionally and cognitively disabled students; to acquire skills to operate audio-visual and technological equipment; and to follow through on direction provided by the teacher to acquire skills needed to support the educational program for the students they are working with.

Salary & Compensation:

Per MFP Local #3161 CBA

Physical and Mental Demands / Work Environment:

The physical demands and environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be mobile with the ability to get from one location in the office or work site(s) to other locations in the office or work site(s)
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift or carry objects less than thirty (30) pounds
• Ability to perform manipulative skills such as writing and typing
• Ability to see and read objects closely, as wiring, labels on equipment, reading/proofreading a report, using a computer monitor, filing and/or retrieving information from a filing system and verifying the accuracy of financial information
• Ability to hear normal sounds with background noise, as in using a telephone or radio, distinguish verbal communication and communicate through speech, including using a radio
• Ability to learn and acquire an understanding of new information, methodologies and techniques and how they apply to school goals and operations
• Memory adequate to perform tasks/assignments given over long periods of time
• Ability to concentrate on a task for more than 60 minutes

Disclaimers:

• The supplemental job description lists typical examples of work and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to a position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

• Connecticut requires that any person (teachers, administrators, special service staff members, teachers’ aides, custodians, cafeteria employees, etc.) who is hired by a local or regional board of education submit to a state and national criminal history record check within the first 30 days of the date of employment. The process includes the checking of fingerprints by the State Police Bureau of Identification and the F.B.I. The results of the criminal history record checks (both state and federal) are reported to the employing school district. If the district receives notice of a conviction of a crime by a person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the State Board of Education, the district shall notify the Bureau of Certification and Professional Development.