SPED Para Educator

*** Open until filled***

Paraprofessionals in the Springfield Public Schools have a substantial benefit package including competitive wages, paid sick leave, paid holidays, earning incentive days, and Professional Development opportunities including a robust Para to Teacher Pipeline program.

The Special Education Paraprofessional holds primary responsibility for overseeing the implementation of effective, rigorous academic and behavior intervention systems with a small case load of students. The Special Education Paraprofessional will work closely with a small case load of students who need additional supports to be successful in the classroom. This individual will support those students, their families, and their teachers in an effort to fundamentally change the successes they are realizing.

• Work alongside an experienced special educator to support a small case load of students, driving the academic achievement of students with moderate to severe need;
• Implement an effective, rigorous academic and behavior intervention system with a small case load of students;
• Provide consistent and high academic and behavioral expectations;
• Support student mastery of state, city, and school academic and behavioral standards;
• Lead daily individual and small group tutoring sessions; and
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.

• A passionate belief in SPS's mission, values, and educational model;
• An extraordinarily high bar for student behavior and expectations;
• An eagerness to set ambitious, challenging, and tangible goals, and a relentless drive to achieve them;
• An ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and a capacity to remain calm and focused when faced with unexpected challenges;
• Proven track-record of high achievement;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including strong public speaking skills;
• A sense of humility in the face of success;
• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom;
• A high-school diploma or GED; and
• Sixty (60) Credit Hours of College Coursework or an Associate’s Degree, or a passing score on one of the two following Formalized Standardized Assessments:
  Para Pro Assessment (http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) or Work Keys Certificate of Proficiency for Teacher Assistants (http:// ); and
• Current authorization to work in the United States – A candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.

• Reading: 5
• Math: 4
• Writing: 3

If you BELIEVE, we have a place for YOU on our team! Come work for us!

Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that opens the doors of infinite possibilities to our amazing students and staff. We strive to equip each of our approximately 24,000 students with learning experiences that enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills. We are the 3rd largest district in Massachusetts. Our district has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff.

We foster a positive and professional environment in our schools and worksites where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen and heard. Our students and staff share their ideas and perspectives, learning from and appreciating each other. We are a district that is committed to equity and excellence.

In addition to offering competitive salaries and benefits, we provide numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff. We let our data shape the professional development of the district, therefore, it is relevant and actionable. We support our teaching staff with mentors such as instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches to work with them throughout the year in lesson planning, data analysis and management.

Our district offers career advancement opportunities and is invested in “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs. These programs help our staff achieve a…