Paraeducator M-F, School

Para educator [M-F, School Day Schedule, Starting at $17.50 per hour]

The Newington Public Schools is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, growing and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community - to challenge student achievement and realize equity for all in our schools. To achieve this, we value and strive for the highest levels of:

• Family and Community Engagement;
• Culturally Relevant Organizational Practices;
• School Climate;
• Student-Centered Learning;
• Diverse Staff of Excellent Educators
• Equitable Student Access; and
• Fiscal Equity

We are interested in candidates who are passionate around these values; candidates who represent the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community; and candidates who will engage fully in our continuous improvement efforts to achieve equity for all.

Job Description
A Para educator works with special education students during the school day in regular and special education classes under the direction of a special education and general education teachers providing assistance, direction, guidance and implementing academic and behavioral programs to special education students. The Para Educator works in classrooms spanning Preschool to Grade 12.

Essential Job Functions

• Works with individual and/or small groups of students to support Individualized Education Plan academic instruction
• Works with individuals and/or small groups of students to support Individualized Education Plan behavior instruction and interventions
• Supports the implementation of related services (speech, OT/PT, nursing, etc.)
• Supports feeding, physical hygiene, and the physical needs of students, including toileting (if applicable)
• Collects data, organizes and provides it to special education and classroom teachers
• Communicates student progress to special education and classroom teachers
• Maintains student confidentiality
• Reinforces skills that teacher, BCBA or special education staff has taught.
• Engages in continuous professional growth.
• Carries out student routines as directed.
• Implementation of student behavioral plans.
• Collects, monitors and communicates student progress and issues.
• Carries out activities as directed by the BCBA or special education staff.
• Organizes and prepares materials to implement learning.
• Assists in the administration of student assessments as directed by the individual’s program.
• Supports the implementation of planned lessons, both individually and in small groups.
• Supervises students in all school settings. May be required for before and/or after school activities.
• Maintain professional boundaries (e.g., avoid dual relationships, conflicts of interest, social media contacts).
• Provides support for physical management of students, when needed
• May ride the bus

Special Assignment - $3.00 hr. differential pay above Para educator rate All of the responsibilities of a Para educator, but working in a Special Assignment in a program for students with significant needs, including:

• Self-contained (ex. EG Preschool)
• Behavioral (ex. EG/JP K-4 or JW 5-8 program); or
• NHS After School Program

Required Knowledge,

Skills And Abilities

• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• General knowledge of student disabilities.
• Ability to independently, effectively deal with student behaviors.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to develop and follow schedules.
• Ability to work independently.
• Effective interpersonal skills with staff, students, supervisors and the general public.

Required Physical And Mental Effort And Environmental Conditions

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, squat, stretch, kneel, push and pull.
• Ability to lift at least 30 lbs.
• Ability to assist in physical management and personal hygiene of students.
• Ability to stand for extended period of time.
• Ability to hear normal sounds with some background noise and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.
• Ability to attend to task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Ability to remember multiple task/assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.

Minimum REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Para Pro; or
• Associates Degree; or
• Bachelor's Degree

Preferred License or Certificate in a Mental Health or Behavioral Health Program