Educational Assistant: Sub-Separate/Social Emotional Behavioral Classroom

Southbridge Public Schools•Southbridge, MA

16d•Onsite

About The Position

Southbridge Public Schools serve approximately 2,200 students across six schools—and we’re in the midst of an exciting and measurable transformation. In particular, our secondary schools are on a trajectory of rapid improvement. This brief video, Southbridge Middle School Celebrates Recent Improvement , highlights the results of a process of improving culture, climate, and instruction that empowered Southbridge Middle School to take dramatic steps forward even in the challenging aftermath of the COVID pandemic. Over the past couple of school years, SMS has continued to thrive and has been recognized for outstanding student achievement gains in Math, and by the University of Connecticut as a PBIS success story . We are now also seeing the same kind of transformative change at Southbridge High School, with culture & climate among both staff and students improving dramatically in the current 2024-25 school year, and we are confident that significant academic gains will soon follow. This success is no accident—it’s the result of passionate educators, high-quality curriculum, targeted professional development, and a deep commitment to providing a better education to children in a community that has long been under-served. We are a district with many high-needs students, but they prove to us on a daily basis that when we provide them with high expectations and consistent support, they can excel. Most of all, our students thrive when the adults in our schools unite as a team to provide a safe and positive climate, when we uphold high expectations for both behavior and academics, and when we show our kids that we believe in them, we care about them, and we will never give up on them. If you’re an educator who wants your work to matter—who wants to be part of a team that believes deeply in growing people and improving student outcomes—Southbridge is a place where you can see the impact of your efforts every day. Background on "Connect" Program (Social Emotional/Behavioral): "Connect" is a highly structured therapeutic program for students who experience behavioral difficulties due to mental health disorders. The program utilizes a flexible inclusion model that is designed to provide students with academic instruction while addressing their significant emotional and behavioral needs. Students receive individualized treatment, including behavioral interventions to help them experience a sense of success and belonging in the school. The goal of the program is to create a therapeutic environment within the public school setting by promoting self-governance and progressive levels of responsibilities. An adjustment counselor works together with program staff, parents, and with students to improve their behavioral and emotional functioning within the school setting. Services include restorative justice practices, group counseling, individual counseling, and crisis counseling as needed. In addition, the "Connect" team is committed to collaborating with families and other community agencies in order to provide a consistent approach to helping students with mental health issues.

Requirements

High School Diploma
Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
Effective, active listening skills
Ability to work effectively with others
Organizational and problem solving skills

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree preferred
Experience with behaviorially challenged students: RBT certified preferred

Responsibilities

Assist the classroom teacher in helping mentally disadvantaged students learn skills that will broaden their learning experiences and contribute to their development in order to set high expectations and to assist in creating a classroom environment that is conducive to learning for all students
Ensure the safety of students
Maintain the strictest confidence concerning personnel, students and operational concerns of the district
Promote good public relations by personal appearance, attitude and conversation
Report all cases of suspected child abuse to appropriate school personnel and proper government authority
Assist students needs both individually and in small groups
Collaborate with classroom teacher about students’ needs and requirements including IEP goals
Assist students with classwork
Assist with recess, supervision, restroom breaks, emergency drills, assemblies, field trips, etc.
Act as expert classroom support to substitute in absence of teacher
Interact in a positive manner with staff, students and parents
Attend meetings and in-services as required
Serve as a role model for students and staff
Prepare materials for class projects
Respond to questions and requests in an appropriate and timely manner
Maintain a level of approachability by administration and staff
Perform other duties as assigned by classroom teacher and/or Principal