SPED PLC Para Educator

Springfield Public Schools • Springfield, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Paraprofessional works alongside an experienced special educator to support a small caseload of students with moderate to severe needs. The role focuses on implementing effective, rigorous academic and behavioral interventions and helping students succeed in the classroom. The paraprofessional supports students, their families, and teachers, promotes high expectations, and helps students master academic and behavioral standards. The position also includes leading individual and small-group tutoring and communicating with students, families, and colleagues.

Springfield Public Schools describes itself as a district committed to equity and excellence, with approximately 24,000 students and more than 44 languages spoken across its community. It offers professional development opportunities, career advancement pathways, and “Grow our Own” programs that can help staff pursue college degrees or certification pathways. Paraprofessionals receive a benefits package that includes competitive wages, paid sick leave, paid holidays, earning incentive days, and professional development, including a Para to Teacher Pipeline program.

Requirements

• Passionate belief in Springfield Public Schools’ mission, values, and educational model.
• High expectations for student behavior and achievement.
• Ability to set ambitious, challenging, tangible goals and persist in pursuing them.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and remain calm and focused when facing unexpected challenges.
• Proven track record of high achievement.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking skills.
• Humility in the face of success.
• Drive to improve students’ lives and learning in and out of the classroom.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Sixty college credit hours or an associate degree, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment or WorkKeys Certificate of Proficiency for Teacher Assistants.
• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment.
• Passing WorkKeys scores in Reading (5), Math (4), and Writing (3).

Responsibilities

• Work alongside an experienced special educator to support a small caseload of students and drive academic achievement for students with moderate to severe needs.
• Implement academic and behavioral intervention systems for a small caseload of students.
• Provide consistent, high academic and behavioral expectations.
• Support students in mastering state, city, and school academic and behavioral standards.
• Lead daily individual and small-group tutoring sessions.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.

Benefits

• Competitive wages
• Paid sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Earning incentive days
• Professional development opportunities, including a Para to Teacher Pipeline program
• Career advancement and educational pipeline programs that may support a college degree or certification pathway

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED