Special Education Para Educator: Empower Students

Springfield Public Schools; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid sick leave

Professional Development opportunities

Para to Teacher Pipeline program

Job summary

Springfield Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Paraprofessional to support a small case load of students with moderate to severe needs, collaborating with an experienced special educator to drive academic achievement and behavior interventions.

You will lead daily tutoring sessions and help students meet state standards, while communicating with families and colleagues to support an equity-focused learning environment.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• 60 college credits or an associate degree, or passing ParaPro/WorkKeys.
• Passing scores on WorkKeys: Reading, Math, and Writing.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States by day one.

Responsibilities

• Support a small case load of students under supervision of a special educator.
• Drive academic achievement and implement behavior interventions.
• Maintain consistent high academic and behavioral expectations.
• Assist students in mastering state and local standards.
• Lead daily individual and small group tutoring sessions.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.

Skills

Mission-driven

High behavioral expectations

Goal-oriented

Thrives in fast-paced environment

Proven high achievement

Excellent communication

Humility

Student-centered improvement

Education

High school diploma or GED

60 college credits or associate degree

ParaPro or WorkKeys proficiency

US work authorization by start date

Job description

Paraprofessionals in the Springfield Public Schools have a substantial benefit package including 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 Special Education Paraprofessional will work closely with a small case load of students who need additional supports to be successful in the classroom. This individual will support those students, their families, and their teachers in an effort to fundamentally change the successes they are realizing.

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; and
• 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; and
• Sixty (60) Credit Hours of College Coursework or an Associate’s Degree, or a passing score on one of the two following Formalized Standardized Assessments: ParaPro Assessment (http://www.ets.org/parapro/ ) or WorkKeys Certificate of Proficiency for Teacher Assistants (http://www.act.org/workkeys/profcert/index.html ); and
• 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 KeysExams in the following areas:

• Reading: 5
• Math: 4
• Writing: 3

"If you BELIEVE, we have a place for YOU on our team! Come work for us!"

About our District

Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that opens the doors of infinite possibilities to our amazing students and staff. We strive to equip each of our approximately 24,000 students with learning experiences that enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills. We are the 3^rdlargest district in Massachusetts. Our district has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff. We foster a positive and professional environment in our schools and worksites where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen and heard. Our students and staff share their ideas and perspectives, learning from and appreciating each other. We are a district that is committed to equity and excellence.

Join a team that Empowers Educators

In addition to offering competitive salaries and benefits, we provide numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff. We let our data shape the professional development of the district, therefore, it is relevant and actionable. We support our teaching staff with mentors such as instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches to work with them throughout the year in lesson planning, data analysis and management. Our district offers career advancement opportunities and is invested in “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs. These programs help our staff achieve a college degree or lead to certification pathways.

If there is something that you would like to know specifically about the position that you are applying for or assistance with matching your skills to a position, Carmen Molina-Figueroa will be happy to assist you [e-mail].

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, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation. The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator,[e-mail], the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights athttps://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Jeremy Saint Laurent, Chief Legal Counsel in Legal Services, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55325,[e-mail].

Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website,www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer [e-mail]