Classroom Para Educator

Springfield Public Schools•Springfield, MA

About The Position

Classroom Para Educators assist teachers in providing an innovative, high quality education program designed to meet the needs of all children in the Springfield Public Schools. Classroom Para Educators will work with school staff to create an educational environment that meets the needs of all students by providing instructional assistance, classroom support, and implementing effective classroom strategies. Classroom Para Educators 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. Please note: Additional duties may need to be performed as part of the job requirement in favor of student success. Be sure to review the Collective Bargaining Agreement to ensure that you clearly understand the conditions of your employment as a Classroom Para Educator.

Requirements

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 Keys Exams in the following areas: Reading: 5 Math: 4 Writing: 3

Responsibilities

Supports direct instruction to children individually, in small groups, and in classroom settings
Provides assistance with classroom activities.
Prepares instructional materials.
Manages individual and classroom behavior
Supervises students on field trip activities.
Performs other support services and related duties as requested by Building Principal.
Examples of support services and educational settings served by paraprofessionals may include: life skills, developmental classrooms, social, emotional, & behavioral support (SEBS), LINKS (Autism) program, visual or mobility orientation, language learning delays and medical care.