Opportunity Academy Paraprofessional SY26-27

Holyoke Public Schools•Holyoke, MA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) is seeking passionate, student-centered paraprofessionals to join the team at Holyoke High School Opportunity Academy (HHSOA), an innovative alternative high school designed for students who have not found success on traditional campuses. We believe that schools are the unit of change, and that paraprofessionals are essential to a school’s success. At HHSOA, paraprofessionals play a central role in building strong relationships with students, supporting classroom instruction, and helping students stay on track toward graduation. We are looking for educators who are committed to equity, flexibility, and helping every student thrive in a non-traditional setting. HPS has engaged in a high school redesign process starting in 2018, with the founding of HHSOA as one of the three main high school campuses as a critical piece of that redesign. Built upon choice, flexibility and access to diverse and challenging educational opportunities, HHSOA’s unique approach to the alternative model deepens student engagement and provides families and business and civic leaders explicit opportunities to partner with educators to help guide students’ career and college plans, as well as strengthen our local economy; while simultaneously addressing each student’s path to graduation and post-secondary readiness through an individualized approach.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree or higher; OR Completing at least two years, or 48 credit hours of study at an institution of higher education; OR taking and passing a formal assessment measuring one’s knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing, and mathematics. (Parapro Assessment and workKeys)

Nice To Haves

Training or experience working with Special Needs Students preferred
Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills
Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
Operates and cares for equipment used in the classroom for instructional purposes.
Helps students master equipment and/or instructional materials assigned by the teacher.
Assists in the implementation of behavioral modification programs as directed and supervised by the teacher.
Keep behavioral logs and data (daily and weekly).
Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, and field trips.
Assists students with mobility and personal care.
Assists with lunch, snack and cleanup routines.
Dress for physical education activities so you can assist students.
Meets the buses and assist students in breakfast and lunch routines
Assists with wash-ups and toilet routines, diapering and tooth brushing.
Other duties as assigned