Special Education Aide - District Float

Framingham Public Schools•Framingham, MA

53d•$23 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

To assist student(s) with disabilities under the direction of a certified teacher by generally working in an inclusionary or other least restrictive setting for the student; more specifically, to assist the teacher in general daily classroom activities, help student(s) with disabilities, and care for their physical, emotional health and safety while affirming their abilities and striving to promote dignity in all relationships in order to deliver Framingham Public Schools' high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the opportunity gap among subgroups within the schools. OUR MISSION: Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education, we aim to create and empower free-thinking, responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thought, learners, cultures, and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active, participatory, equitable community. Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish a baseline which we seek to exceed. As a district, Framingham Public Schools is committed to achieving, developing, and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world. Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued, and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career. Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups. Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education. Also, we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field.

Requirements

Associate (or higher) degree, or at least two years of post-secondary education that is equivalent to at least 48 credit hours from an accredited higher education institution (otherwise must pass the Parapro Test).
Some experience working with children, especially students with disabilities in the areas of Autism, Developmental Delays, Multiple Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional Disabilities.
Ability to read and comprehend documents such as memos, safety rules, and procedure manuals
Ability to express ideas clearly in written and oral communication
Ability to work as a team member
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff and the community
Ability to embrace a proactive and solution-focused approach to meeting student needs
Ability to work with students of diverse backgrounds with diverse needs in an equitable and inclusive manner, and to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and School Committee policies.

Nice To Haves

Additional specialized training in child development, education, or a related field is desirable.

Responsibilities

Assist in the instruction and supervision of students, supporting students academically, socially, and behaviorally in the inclusion, small group, individual, or sub separate setting with direction from the classroom teacher and/or special education teacher, service provider or administrator.
Support students with special needs by following provisions specified in their Individual Education Program (IEP).
Assist students with test taking in administering standardized and non-standardized tests/curriculum based measures and other assessments.
Provide support that may include physical management such as crisis management or taking action or assisting educators, school crisis team and/or administrators in restraining students who are at risk of harming themselves or others by following school/district approved restraint procedures to ensure safety of students and others (training provided).
Attend training and maintain certification in de-escalation and physical management techniques.
Collect data for individual students and report concerns and/or progress information on students.
Escort and supervise students to and from various school facilities and areas.
Take initiative to work collaboratively with special education, general education,teachers and related service staff.
Assist in establishing a positive learning environment and respond to the individual needs of students.
Assist students with common daily tasks such as eating, mobility, communication, dressing and toileting, including diapering.
Promote independence for students with disabilities.
Safeguard confidential information to ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Responsible for other general duties as indicated by the teacher, principal, supervisors/directors, directives of the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee, and policies of the Framingham School Committee.