Student Support Paraprofessional - Dean Tech

Starting Date: Immediately

DISTRICT OVERVIEW

Holyoke Public Schools is a PreK-12 public school district serving nearly 4,800 students, of whom 80 percent are Latino/Latina, in 11 schools. We employ nearly 1,300 people who together educate and support a richly diverse community of learners. We are committed to recruiting and retaining top-quality educators who believe all children can and will learn and who strive daily to make school a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging.

Holyoke Public Schools’ strategic plan , “Moving Forward Together,” builds on the strengths of our past while serving as a call to action to accelerate student learning by thinking differently about how we teach, how we work together, and how we support students’ well-being.

Many successes contributed to Holyoke’s return to local governance after 10 years in state receivership. These include:

• The highest graduation rate on record of 77.1 percent, an increase of more than 15-points over 10 years
• Meaningful, applied learning opportunities for high school students, including theme-based academies, career vocational technical education programming, work-based learning, and advanced coursework
• A comprehensive approach to early literacy that includes strong core instruction and one‑on‑one tutoring, contributing to more students reading at grade level
• A thriving dual language English/Spanish program, where nearly 900 students are on their path to becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural
• More than one‑third of Holyoke teachers identify as people of color, a 19‑point increase over 10 years. Many partnership programs support staff to earn licensure or additional certification.

Reports to: Student Support Coordinator and Dean of Students, Dean Technical High School

Role Overview: The Student Support Paraprofessional at Dean Technical High School will assist both the Dean of Students and the Student Support Coordinator in executing responsibilities related to student behavior, attendance, and overall school culture. This role is integral to maintaining a positive and supportive school environment and is designed for individuals passionate about working with children and improving student outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Behavior and Discipline:

• Assist in implementing school‑wide discipline policies under the guidance of the Dean of Students and Student Support Coordinator.
• Support the management of student behavior in various school settings, including classrooms, hallways, and common areas.
• Help monitor and manage before and after school detention programs.

Student Support:

• Assist in the development and maintenance of behavior plans for students needing additional support.
• Foster positive relationships with students, providing encouragement and support to promote positive behavior.
• Support the implementation of Restorative Justice practices as directed by the Student Support Coordinator.

School Culture and Climate:

• Help cultivate a positive and collaborative school culture by supporting various student activities and events.
• Supervise students during non‑instructional times (e.g., breakfast, lunch, transitions, dismissal) to ensure a professional and orderly environment.
• Assist in organizing and overseeing student activities, including clubs, pep rallies, community service projects, and leadership opportunities.
• Support tracking student attendance and implementing strategies to improve attendance rates.
• Communicate with students and parents regarding attendance issues as directed by the Dean of Students and Student Support Coordinator.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Help maintain accurate records of student behavior, interventions, and outcomes.
• Assist in utilizing digital tools to track behavior statistics…