SYSEZP One-to-One Paraeducators

Para educator Opportunity in Springfield Empowerment Zone

*** Open until filled***

Paraeducators in the Springfield Empowerment Zone - as in Springfield Public Schools - have a substantial benefit package including competitive wages, paid sick leave, and Professional Development opportunities including a robust Para to Teacher Pipeline program.

Role:
The One-to-One Para educator holds primary responsibility for overseeing the implementation of effective, rigorous academic and behavior intervention systems with their assigned student. When their assigned student is absent, the Para educator will work closely with a small case load of students who need additional supports to be successful in the classroom. This individual will support their assigned student(s), their families, and their teachers in an effort to fundamentally change the successes they are realizing.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Work alongside an experienced special educator to support their assigned student, driving the academic achievement of students with moderate to severe need;
• When needed, 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;
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.

Qualifications:

• 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;
• 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 or Work Keys Certificate of Proficiency for Teacher Assistants; and
• Current authorization to work in the United States – A candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.

** A passing score on the Work Keys Exams in the following areas:

• Reading: 5
• Math: 4
• Writing: 3

About the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership:

While Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the top states for education results in the country, we have one of the highest and most persistent opportunity gaps. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) - established in 2015 as a collaboration between Springfield Public Schools (SPS), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Springfield Education Association (SEA) – seeks to improve the longitudinal life outcomes of the more than 2,500 students in our 8 middle schools.

SEZP combines district-based public education with the flexibility of autonomous school models, granting schools meaningful control over curriculum, staffing, scheduling, and budgeting—while maintaining clear accountability for student learning and growth.

Across all of its work—including school improvement and educator preparation—SEZP is guided by three core values:

• Access: Expanding access to strong learning environments, skilled mentors, and clear pathways for students and educators
• Belonging: Building communities where people are known, supported, and accountable to one another
• Opportunity: Preparing students and educators to learn, lead, and thrive over time

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws.