Paraprofessional Educator​/Special Education Achieve - Group

Paraprofessional Educator
- Achieve Program/NHS

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated.

We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world.

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Job Title
- Paraprofessional
- Achieve Program
- Location - NHS/Achieve

Reports To
- Reports directly to the building principal (overall program) and the supervising teacher (day-to-day functioning of program). Work days/FTE
- Full time, hourly 6.0 - 6.25 hours/day

Salary/Benefits
- Salary and benefits per contract with the Education Association of Natick Unit S
- Benefits Eligible? - Yes

JOB GOAL:
To help maximize student learning by working with individuals and small groups to implement material prepared by the supervising teacher or specialist. Paraprofessional Educators implement prescribed instruction to help maximize student learning by working with individuals and small groups.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

High School diploma or GED

Professional Certification:

Specialized Knowledge:

• Thorough understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student, staff and community engagement and cultivation
• Adolescent development
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student engagement

Preferred Experience:

• Work or volunteer experience with 14-22 year old young adults with disabilities.
• Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) and Power School preferred, but will train the right candidate.

Skills:

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed
• Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable
• Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues
• Candidates must be flexible and collaborative
• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth
• Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Phone, intercom, personal computer and software applications as outlined above, scanner, copy machine, calculator, camera, printers and fax machine.
• Natick 15 passenger or smaller van with wheelchair lift (Need Valid Driver's License to Operate)
• School approved applications to communicate with school staff and students, such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Voice, G-chat, and Talking Points

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB (not limited to)

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Works with district and school leadership to combat systemic barriers that limit student, family, and staff members' equitable access to opportunity

• Work with students individually and in small groups:
• Works in special education or vocational or community settings, including but not limited to reviewing and reinforcing previously introduced lessons and implementing prescribed instruction.
• Alerts the teacher to special needs of individual students.
• Escorts and assists students as necessary, including lifting where appropriate.
• May correct day-to-day work of students but shall not be responsible for grading or reporting to parents.
• May be asked to use personal phone to communicate with staff
• Assist supervising teacher in addressing student needs:
• Carries out teacher-planned learning exercises including instruction of core curriculum, academic support and support of related therapies including speech and language activities, occupational and physical therapy activities and mobility…