Educational Support Professional

Chicopee Public Schools•Chicopee, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Educational Support Professional (paraprofessional) supports student instruction in academic, social, and motor skills under the direction of a classroom teacher. The role helps deliver and assess the district curriculum, in consultation with an Individual Education Plan when applicable, to increase student learning and achievement. Assignments may include general education, special education, ELL, early childhood, or computer lab support. The position reports to the building principal for evaluation and to the classroom teacher for day-to-day assignments. The professional works independently within the teacher’s directions and is expected to be dependable, flexible, communicative, and able to exercise sound judgment. The role includes maintaining a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, fostering professional working relationships, resolving conflict appropriately, and supporting applicable laws, regulations, district policies, and procedures. For positions primarily assigned to the computer lab, the professional is responsible for the lab and its equipment and materials, helps targeted students use basic-skills software, maintains daily student-use and progress records, and keeps an inventory of lab resources. The position is non-exempt and governed by the Chicopee Education Association (Unit E) Collective Bargaining Agreement; salary is per the Unit E contract.

Requirements

High school diploma and additional college-level coursework.
If the applicant has no college degree, achieve a passing score on a DESE-endorsed assessment (WorkKeys or ParaPro).
Ability to operate equipment such as computers, copiers, and adding machines.
Ability to exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally and negligible force constantly to move objects, including the human body.
Ability to stand, crouch, and bend for extended periods at intervals throughout the day.
Ability to compare and judge observable characteristics of data, people, or things.
Ability to communicate information, give instructions or directions, read varied correspondence, prepare written materials using prescribed formats and language conventions, and speak before groups.
Ability to apply logical or scientific thinking, interpret varied instructions, and work with abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to use basic mathematics, including formulas, arithmetic, decimals, percentages, algebra, and geometry.
Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape and to coordinate hands and eyes accurately when using office equipment or assisting students.
Manual dexterity to handle office equipment and hand tools, with minimal eye/hand/foot coordination.
Ability to work with people beyond simply giving and receiving instructions, including under stress and in emergencies.
Ability to talk, hear, communicate by telephone, and use communication boards and devices with students as required.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
Bilingual ability, such as Spanish/English, Farsi, or Russian, preferred.
Previous experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with small groups of students.
Administer and correct student assessments and communicate basic analysis of results.
Use assessment analysis to inform subsequent instruction.
Instruct students on rules of conduct and expected behaviors.
Bring academic, social, and motor concerns to the classroom teacher’s attention.
Support class objectives and outlines aligned with the district-approved curriculum.
Maintain records, attendance, and assessments as required by the classroom teacher.
Assist with preparing classroom materials.
Assist in delivering differentiated instruction consistent with the district curriculum.
Provide timely feedback to the classroom teacher about student progress in academic, social, and motor skills.
Assist students with activities of daily living, including diapering and toileting when necessary.
Complete or be willing to complete training for the knowledge and performance areas needed for the assignment.
Work independently while following directions from the classroom teacher.
Maintain dependable work habits, effective time management, and receptive and expressive communication.
Build on strengths and act on suggestions for improvement; adapt flexibly to new situations and changing educational environments.
Use sound judgment, maintain professional working relationships, resolve conflict appropriately, and seek assistance when appropriate.
Help maintain a physically and emotionally safe learning environment under the classroom teacher’s direction.
As appropriate, assist with communicating and enforcing federal and state laws and regulations and district policies and procedures.
Perform other duties assigned by the principal, school administration, or superintendent.
For primary computer-lab assignments, maintain lab equipment, instructional materials, software, and hardware; assist targeted students in using basic-skills software; maintain daily records of student use and progress; and inventory lab resources.