SPED Para Educator

POTTENGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid sick leave

Professional development

Job summary

POTTENGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Springfield, MA is hiring a Special Education Paraprofessional. This role supports students with individualized instruction under the Special Education Teacher, works with a small caseload, and assists with classroom activities, behavior interventions, and family communication.

You will provide instructional support, manage materials, and assist with lunch and personal care as needed, while participating in professional development and the district’s

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED, plus 60 college credits or an associate’s degree, or pass ParaPro/WorkKeys assessments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work with students, families and teachers.
• Willingness to participate in professional development and teacher pipeline programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional assistance under teacher direction to small groups or individuals.
• Assist with clerical tasks: prepare, duplicate, organize, and distribute materials.
• Assist with feeding during lunch and snack periods; diapering and personal hygiene as needed.
• Perform duties assigned by Site Coordinator; communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Collaborate with the Special Education Teacher and Principal to support students with IEPs.
• Support families and teachers to improve student success in the classroom.
• Provide a safe, positive learning environment and follow district policies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Communication

Drive to improve outcomes

Education

High school diploma or GED

60 college credits or Associate’s degree

ParaPro or WorkKeys certification

Job description

Springfield Public Schools POTTENGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Springfield, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

SPED Para Educator

Springfield Public Schools POTTENGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - Springfield, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5945661
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Sep 30, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

***Open until filled***

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:

1. Responsible to Special Education Teacher and Principal.
2. Provide instructional assistance, under the direction of the teacher, to a small group or individual student(s).
3. Responsible for providing clerical services such as preparing, duplicating, organizing, and distributing materials to children and other miscellaneous clerical tasks.
4. Assist in feeding during lunch and snack periods when needed.
5. Feed, diaper, and assist with personal hygiene as needed.
6. Perform additional duties assigned by the Site Coordinator of this summer program.
7. 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

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 rd largest 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 at [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 at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr , or both.

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 to [e-mail]

Position Type: FT - School Year
Salary: $22.69 to $27.35 BU Salary Schedule

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Kimberly Hyde , Principal
• POTTENGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]