Salem Public Schools Salem , MA 01970
Posted 2 weeks ago
Instructional Paraprofessional, Horace Mann Laboratory School, Salem Public Schools SY2024-2025
About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.
Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students across our 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. Over the next three years (2023-2026), we are committed to the work outlined by the four core priorities in our strategic plan: 1) Elevate Learning; 2) Empower Educators; 3) Center Belonging; and 4) Strengthen Our Foundation. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Applicants who have experience working in urban schools and settings and are bilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.
What You'll Do:
Paraprofessionals will assist teachers and/or other certified personnel in providing an innovative, high quality education program designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities in the Salem Public Schools. Paraprofessionals will work with school staff to create an educational environment in which quality and continuity are key factors. In addition to sound reasoning and good organizational skills, paraprofessionals are expected to contribute to positive school culture and climate. Paraprofessionals are district-wide employees and subject to the negotiated Paraprofessional Contract, as well as the rules and regulations of Salem Public Schools
The position may include some personal care, lifting, academic support, behavioral interventions and the use of technology. The right person for this position is dependable, organized, flexible and eager to learn through hands-on experience, reading and workshop training.
Role Responsibilities:
Demonstrates an understanding of assigned students profile and learning needs, read student IEPs and engage in related PD
Supports and collaborates with the general education and special education teachers on an ongoing basis
Reviews, corrects and reinforces lessons with individual or small groups of students, read stories aloud, assist with math concepts, scribe and brainstorm written work, other curriculum related activities.
Prepares and inventory instructional materials, set-up/operate and maintain various learning aides, materials, and assistive technology
Assists with classroom management & supervision; administering behavior modification programs/ point systems, data taking, discrete trials
Assists teacher in implementing accommodations and specialized strategies for instruction, skill reinforcement, work production and test taking
Guides independent study, enrichment work and remedial work as defined by the teacher and the IEP
Escorts and assists students as needed throughout the building and on community based experiences
Follows direction of supervisor and assure safety of students at all times
Performs other related duties as requested by the Teacher/Principal or PPS administrative staff
Must be physically capable of and willing to engage in restraint, bending, and lifting as required to meet unique student needs.
What You'll Bring:
We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children's lives through education. You'll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:
Role Responsibilities:
Demonstrate an understanding of assigned students profile and learning needs, read student IEPs and engage in related PD
Support and collaborate with the general education and special education teachers on an ongoing basis
Reinforce lessons with individual or small groups of students
Assist with classroom management & supervision
Administer behavior modification programs
Assist teacher in implementing accommodations and specialized strategies for instruction and skill reinforcement
Cover classroom during teacher absence
Facilitate play and social interactions and model language between peers
Escort and assist students as needed throughout the building, on community-based experiences, during lunch/recess and on/off the bus
Follow direction of supervisor and assure safety of students at all times
Assist with acclimating students to technology and personal learning devices to enable them to access remote instruction.
Other duties as prescribed by building administrative staff and Executive Director of Special Education, as described within the Paraprofessional contract
Attend district and building professional development and training
What You'll Bring:
We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children's lives through education. You'll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:
Job requirements:
High School Diploma or GED
Forty-eight (48) Credit Hours of College Coursework or an Associate's Degree, or a passing score on one of the two following Formalized Standardized Assessments: ParaPro Assessment (http://www.ets.org/parapro/) or WorkKeys
Safety-Care Trained or willing to be trained (District will provide training)
Minimum of one year experience working with elementary-aged children
Second language (Spanish and/or Portuguese) proficiency a plus
Bilingual candidates and candidates of color strongly encouraged to apply
Current authorization to work in the United States
Paraprofessionals report to the building principal, special education supervisor, students' assigned classroom teacher(s) and Executive Director of Special Education.
This is a school-year position, following the district calendar and school hours. Salary according to union contract.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
Salem Public Schools