Kindergarten Paraeducator

Wethersfield Public Schools•Wethersfield, CT

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kindergarten Paraeducator supports the classroom teacher in creating a safe, structured, and nurturing learning environment for young students. The role helps children build independence with routines, transitions, social skills, and self-regulation throughout the school day, and provides literacy and early-academic support through small-group work, guided practice, and differentiated assistance. Collaboration with the teacher and consistent reinforcement of classroom expectations are essential to student growth and success. This is a 10-month position, 35 hours per week, from late August to mid-June, at Hanmer Elementary School in Wethersfield, Connecticut. The daily schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., including a 30-minute unpaid lunch. The start date is immediate. The district reserves the right to reassign paraeducators among assignments or schools during the school year. Some assignments may require work beyond the student school day to provide supervision, such as supervising students on a bus.

Requirements

Hold an associate degree, have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, or have successfully completed the ParaPro Assessment.
Interact with children.
Meet the position's physical requirements, including sitting, standing, walking, reading, hearing, seeing, speaking, reaching, stretching, crouching, kneeling, climbing, and stooping.
Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull supplies or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds.
Assist with restraint, movement, or other emergency weight-bearing assistance of students.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Support students with daily routines, including arrival, centers, cleanup, and dismissal, while promoting independence.
Support smooth transitions between activities and school spaces using visual, verbal, and physical prompts.
Model and reinforce social skills, including turn-taking, cooperative play, problem-solving, and positive peer interactions.
Help students develop self-regulation by implementing calming strategies, sensory supports, and proactive behavior prompts.
Participate in role-related professional learning, such as science of reading and mathematics training, and implement the practices learned.
Support literacy instruction, including phonemic awareness, letter recognition, early writing, and reading behaviors.
Reinforce teacher instruction, guide practice, and support small groups across content areas.
Facilitate structured play and learning centers by helping students engage, stay on task, and complete activities.
Encourage independence with self-help skills, including managing materials, preparing for recess, and organizing personal items.
Collect academic and behavioral data.
Interact positively with staff and students.
Assist with recess, supervision, restroom breaks, emergency drills, assemblies, and field trips.
Maintain strict confidentiality concerning personnel, students, and operational concerns.
Promote good public relations through professional appearance, attitude, and conversation.
Report suspected child abuse to appropriate school personnel and the proper government authority.
Perform other relevant duties as assigned by certified staff, the Principal, or other administrators.