Early Applicant Pool 2024-2025 - Elementary General Education Instructional Aide (6.5 Hours Per Day/10 Months), Multiple Positions Available, 1 Yr Appt

Position: General Education Instructional Aide (6 hour/10 month), Multiple Positions Available

One Year Appointment

District-Wide Elementary/Location TBD

In the Cambridge Public Schools, teachers and staff members work in partnership with parents and caregivers to provide a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive learning environment where all children - regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, disability, religion or socioeconomic status - have access to the opportunities to reach their full potential and develop the skills needed to be successful, independent, and culturally-proficient scholars.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a dedicated and nurturing paraprofessional to help foster a safe and positive classroom environment where elementary grade scholars can engage in rigorous, joyful and culturally responsive learning experiences. This individual will assist the classroom teacher in implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that is based on children's individual developmental needs in the context of a classroom community of learners. Specifically, the paraprofessional will work as an assistant teacher under the direction of the classroom teacher and principal. This position is available for 1 year (2021/22 school year).

The aide will assist the classroom teacher with:

• Planning, developing and providing a creative learning environment focused on high academic achievement, excellence in teaching, respect for differences and collaborative relationships,
• Providing a safe and effective learning environment in which behaviors that interfere with learning are prevented and/or addressed,
• Instructing small groups with a focus literacy, math and Social emotional learning skills,
• Providing daily activities, which integrate learning across the curriculum.

The paraprofessional will work with students individually and as well as in small groups. The individual will also supervise students at lunch and recess and will occasionally provide whole-class supervision when the teacher is out of the classroom.

The paraprofessional will participate in professional learning specially designed to support his/her ability to meet all students' academic and social emotional learning needs with a focus on literacy and math. Professional learning is required and will take place in late August and 2-3 additional times throughout the school year.

The Cambridge Public Schools serves children and families from a diverse range of racial, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We recognize that elementary-aged children benefit from seeing themselves reflected in the adults around them and we are eager to field applications from a range of candidates whose backgrounds mirror the diversity of the students we serve.

Your Skill Set:

As a full-time paraprofessional, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Associate's degree or 48 college credits. Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Previous coursework in the education of elementary grade children is preferred.

• Previous successful experience working with children in an urban, multicultural setting, preferably at the elementary level.

• Willingness to be trained in small group interventions.

• Demonstrated ability to respect diversity and help children develop a positive self-image as successful learners.

• Ability to speak Arabic, Amharic, Bengali, Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole a plus.

How to Join Our Team:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.