Educational Support Professional (Paraprofessional) - PreK

Chicopee Public Schools•Chicopee, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary function of a paraprofessional is to perform duties as assigned by the classroom teacher in the delivery of the district curriculum in multiple ways that increase student learning and achievement. Under the direction of the classroom teacher, the Education Support Professional supports student instruction in academic, social, and motor skills through the delivery and assessment of the district curriculum in consultation with the Individual Education Plan (if applicable). This may include, but is not limited to, working with small groups of students, administering and analyzing student assessments, instructing students on rules of conduct, supporting class objectives, maintaining records, assisting in preparation of classroom materials, and providing feedback to the classroom teacher. The role also involves assisting students with activities of daily living, including diapering and toileting needs as necessary, and being trained in specific areas relevant to the assignment. The paraprofessional is expected to work independently, demonstrate dependability and time management, build on strengths, be flexible, adapt quickly, demonstrate sound judgment, and maintain professional working relationships. They will strive to maintain a safe learning environment and assist in enforcing laws, regulations, and policies. Additional duties may be assigned by administration. If assigned to the computer lab, responsibilities include managing the lab, assisting students with software, maintaining records, and inventorying equipment.

Requirements

High School Diploma required.
Additional college level coursework required.
Achieve a passing score on the DESE-endorsed assessments (WorkKeys or ParaPro) if no college degree.
Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including, but not limited to: computers, copiers, adding machines, etc.
Must be able to exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Must be able to stand, crouch and bend over for a long period of time at intervals throughout the day.
Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics of data, people or things.
Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information, including giving instructions, assignments or directions.
Ability to read a variety of correspondence including reports, forms, newsletters, schedules, manuals, invoices, requisitions, menus, recipes, journals, etc.
Ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, evaluations, procedures, charts, surveys, articles, bid specifications, brochures, news releases, handbooks, budgets, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
Ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to understand and communicate in a variety of technical or professional languages including medical, legal, accounting and marketing terminology.
Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; and to apply the principles of basic mathematics, algebra and geometry.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment and assisting students in activities of daily living.
Ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and hand tools.
Minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
Ability to talk and hear.
Must be able to communicate via telephone.
Must be able to use communication boards and devices to communicate with students as required.

Nice To Haves

Associates or Bachelor's degree preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish/English, Farsi, Russian, etc.) preferred.
Previous experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Support student instruction in academic, social, and motor skills through the delivery and assessment of the district curriculum in consultation with the Individual Education Plan (if applicable).
Work with small groups of students.
Administer, correct and communicate basic analysis of student assessments.
Utilize the conclusions derived from assessment analysis in subsequent instruction.
Instruct students on rules of conduct and expected behaviors.
Bring academic, social and motor issues to the attention of the classroom teacher.
Support class objectives and outlines that align with the district approved curriculum.
Maintain records, attendance and assessments as required by the classroom teacher.
Assist in preparation of classroom materials.
Assist in the delivery of differentiated instruction in an appropriate manner consistent with district curriculum.
Provide timely feedback to the classroom teacher regarding student progress in academic, social and motor skills.
Assist students with activities of daily living, including diapering and toileting needs as necessary.
Be trained or willing to be trained by the Chicopee Public Schools in identified knowledge and performance areas.
Work independently by appropriately using the directions given by the classroom teacher.
Demonstrate dependability, time management, and receptive and expressive communication skills.
Build on strengths and act on suggestions in areas needing improvement.
Be flexible and adapt quickly to new situations and an ever-changing educational environment.
Demonstrate sound judgment.
Maintain an effective, professional working relationship with others.
Resolve conflict well, and seek assistance when appropriate.
Strive to maintain a learning environment that is both physically and emotionally safe.
Assist in the communication and enforcement of federal and state laws and regulations, as well as district policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned by the principal, school administration or superintendent of schools.
If primarily assigned to the computer lab, be responsible for the Computer Lab (e.g., equipment, instructional materials, software, hardware, etc.), assist targeted students in running software presenting basic skills, maintain daily records of student use and progress in programs used, and maintain an inventory of hardware, software, other equipment, instructional materials, etc. in the lab.