SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM PARAPROFESSIONAL - HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY

Schoolsofwestfield; Westfield (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfield Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Preschool Classroom Paraprofessional at Highland Elementary School to support teachers and students in a preschool setting. The role involves assisting with personal care tasks, small-group instruction, behavior support, supervision during transitions and field trips, and collaboration with staff to implement individualized goals.

Qualifications include an Associates degree or 48 college credits, or ParaPro/WorkKeys; strong interest in

Qualifications

• Possession of Associates degree or higher; or 48 credit hours from higher education institution; or passage of the ParaPro or Work Keys assessment.
• Demonstrated interest in children and education.
• Evidence of the emotional maturity and stability necessary for the specialized work involved.
• Ability to communicate and work successfully with staff and students.
• Positions may require diapering, toileting, lifting and/or feeding. Please inquire at interview.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with physical tasks such as dressing, moving, toileting, and feeding.
• Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce learning.
• Help design strategies to reinforce material based on individual needs.
• Maintain supportive relationship with students without over-involvement.
• Supervise students during drills, assemblies, play periods, and field trips.
• Assist with playground, lavatories, cafeteria, and bus loading duties.
• Participate in in-service training programs.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

Skills

Communication

Emotional maturity

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

Associates degree or higher

48 credit hours

ParaPro or WorkKeys

Job description

SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM PARAPROFESSIONAL - HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY

Westfield Public Schools Highland Elementary School - Westfield, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5378158
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Sep 17, 2025 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Seeking qualified applicants for opening at Highland Elementary School.

JOB GOAL: To assist the teachers achieve teaching objectives by working with individual students or small groups in an effort to provide them with the physical and emotional support needed to meet the program goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the student(s) to whom assigned in such physical tasks as putting on and taking off of clothing, moving from room to room, using the lavatory, feeding and so on.
• Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
• Assists the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests or abilities.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, and field trips.
• Assist teacher in duties relating to the supervision of playground, lavatories, cafeteria, and bus loading activities.
• Assists with lunch, snack, and clean-up routines.
• Participates in in-service training programs.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee.

REPORTS TO: Teacher/Special Education Supervisor and Building Principal

The terms of employment and salary schedule will be commensurate with the Westfield Public Schools Unit D contract.

Performance in this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Westfield School Committee policy on evaluation.

Position Type: Full-time

Job Categories: Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Welcome to Highland Elementary School

MissionIt is our vision that every child that exits grade four from Highland will be academically and socially prepared for success in middle school.VisionIn order to make our vision a reality it is our mission to:Provide a classroom environment conducive to learning.Provide professional development training for teachers to include current curriculum, instruction and assessment procedures.Provide the local community and parents the opportunity to become involved in children's education at all levels.Provide curricular and extracurricular opportunities that will allow all students to be successful lifelong learners and will empower them to meet the needs of the 21st century.Provide an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for all member of the school community.

Job Requirements

• QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Possession of Associates degree or higher; or 48 credit hours from higher education institution; or passage of the ParaPro or Work Keys assessment.
  • Demonstrated interest in children and education.
  • Evidence of the emotional maturity and stability necessary for the specialized work involved.
  • Ability to communicate and work successfully with staff and students.
  • Positions may require diapering, toileting, lifting and/or feeding. Please inquire at interview.
  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is generally conducted within school building. Ability to travel throughout the school building is necessary. Position involves sitting and the ability to travel from one place to another within the office. Work is moderate in nature with regular lifting of up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds with some pulling and pushing or reaching above, generally of desk and file drawers. Frequent use of hands to operate keyboards and telephones and other office equipment. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required