Transitions Academy 1:1 Paraprofessional

Holyoke Public Schools • Holyoke, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Holyoke Transitions Academy is designed to prepare students with disabilities, ages 18-22, for their change in status from a student to an emergent adult role. We focus on such facets of life as employment, post-secondary education, home care and maintenance, community involvement, and social and personal relationships. The 1:1 Paraprofessional provides individualized support to an assigned student throughout the school day and during community-based activities. Working under the direction of the special education teacher and program leadership, the paraprofessional helps the student access instruction, participate safely in program activities, develop greater independence, and make progress toward their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and transition goals. The paraprofessional must build a supportive relationship with the student while maintaining high expectations and encouraging the student to complete tasks as independently as possible.

Requirements

• Possess an associate degree or higher OR Complete at least two years or 48 credit hours of study at an institution of higher education; OR Pass a formal assessment measuring the knowledge and ability needed to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing, and mathematics, such as the WorkKeys or ParaPro Assessment.

Nice To Haves

• Training or experience working with students with disabilities.
• Experience supporting students with significant academic, behavioral, communication, mobility, medical, or personal care needs.
• Experience working with transition-aged students or young adults.
• Experience working in vocational or community-based educational settings.
• Experience working in an urban school environment.
• Experience working with students and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong collaboration, organization, and data-collection skills.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, flexible, and responsive to individual student needs.
• Bilingual applicants, particularly Spanish-speaking applicants, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized academic, behavioral, vocational, social-emotional, mobility, communication, and daily living support based on the student’s IEP.
• Reinforce skills and instruction initially introduced by the special education teacher or related service provider.
• Support the student during classroom instruction, vocational activities, job placements, community-based learning, recreational activities, and field trips.
• Assist the student in developing independence, self-advocacy, communication, problem-solving, and workplace readiness skills.
• Implement accommodations, modifications, behavior support plans, safety plans, and instructional strategies as directed by the student’s educational team.
• Collect and maintain accurate daily data related to the student’s academic progress, behavior, attendance, participation, independence, and IEP goals.
• Maintain behavioral logs and promptly communicate relevant concerns, patterns, or incidents to the supervising teacher and program leadership.
• Assist the student with mobility, positioning, transportation routines, and the safe use of adaptive or instructional equipment.
• Provide personal care assistance when required, including toileting, diapering, hygiene, tooth brushing, eating, dressing, and other daily living routines.
• Support breakfast, lunch, snack, and cleanup routines.
• Meet the student’s bus or transportation provider and assist with safe arrival and dismissal.
• Supervise and support the student during emergency drills, assemblies, physical education, recreational activities, and community outings.
• Follow all health, safety, confidentiality, and mandated reporting requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and training related to the student’s needs.
• Collaborate effectively with teachers, related service providers, job coaches, families, community partners, and other members of the student’s team.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect the student’s privacy and dignity.
• Perform other duties related to the student’s educational and transition programming as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree