Special Education Paraprofessional - SY 2026-2027

Cotting School; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Cotting School in Lexington, MA seeks Program Assistants to support students with disabilities in a classroom setting. Classes have 8 or fewer students and 1–2 teaching assistants per class. You’ll collaborate with lead teachers and participate in weekly specials (gym, art, performing arts).

New grads and experienced applicants welcome. You’ll play a vital role in a student-centered culture focused on collaboration, creativity, belonging and joy, with training provided for required skills

Qualifications

• Background/interest in special education (SPED).
• Ability to work with students with disabilities.
• Team collaboration and flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers with the instructional program as requested.
• Work with assigned students in the classrooms and throughout the program as directed.
• Escort students during arrival and departure times.
• Assist with lifting and transferring students (training provided).
• Support students’ technology needs, including AAC devices.
• Assist with personal care and medications (training provided).
• Work with staff on community trips or off-site jobs (van driving training provided).

Job description

Imagine arriving at work each day amid a sea of smiling faces. The students’ tenacity and enthusiasm for learning are reflected in the staff’s dedication to their success. And speaking of your peers, what a joy they are to work with! Some of the most welcoming, generous, and talented people you’ll ever meet.

Every day at Cotting School is a new adventure with challenges and opportunities large and small. You might be helping a classroom of students with a range of disabilities strive to reach the top of our fully accessible rock climbing wall, so they can feel a rush of pride and confidence as their friends and teachers applaud and cheer them on. Perhaps you’ll escort them on a community trip to a local business, where they can practice life skills and explore their interests through volunteer work. And don't forget about academic and therapeutic work, both equally as rewarding. Today could be the day you help a student finally grasp that concept or skill they’ve been trying so hard to achieve.

This is just a glimpse of what it would be like to share your talent, expertise, and passion for special education with the Cotting School community!

About the Position: We are looking to hire new grads and experienced people with a background and interest in SPED. Program Assistants will work in a classroom setting with a lead teacher. Our classes have 8 or fewer students and have 1-2 teaching assistants per class. There are many opportunities to work closely with students, including assisting in classroom instruction and attending weekly school specials (Gym, Art, Performing Arts, etc). Our Program Assistants are vital to our program and make a positive impact on our students each day while contributing to a student-centered culture characterized by collaboration, creativity, belonging and joy.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Assist teachers with the instructional program as requested.
• Work with assigned students in the classrooms and throughout the program as directed.
• Accompany students in various specials throughout the day including gym, art, performing arts, industrial arts, vocational classes, science, and social studies.
• Flexibly shift from regular assignments to support coverage needs throughout the school as requested.
• Escort students in corridors wherever necessary and during arrival and departure times.
• Assist with lifting and transferring students in/out of wheelchairs, standers, and gait trainers. (training on this skill will be provided)
• Support students’ technology needs, including AAC devices.
• Safely assist in feeding assigned students as directed. (training on this skill will be provided)
• Assist with personal care if requested, including administration of some medications (training will be provided)
• Work with classroom and vocational staff on community trips or at off-site jobs depending on program level (van driving is required and training on this will be provided)
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees so classified.