Paraeducator - River Street School

Overview

Location:

RSS Windsor, Connecticut

Full time para educators are needed to work 25/26 school year under the direction of a special education teacher at the River Street School in Windsor, CT. This is a 10-month position with opportunities for extended day hours and a 6-week summer program. River Street School is a Student Services School where area public school districts refer students based on needed supports for IEP or 504 plans.

The student population at River Street School ranges in age from 5 years old to 21 years old; the majority of students have Autism Spectrum Disorder and present with a variety of challenges. The para educator will utilize Applied Behavior Analysis to provide instructional support in small and large group settings, teach daily living skills, and collect data on all IEP objectives.

The para educator will collaborate with an assigned classroom teacher and support team including Behavior Analysts, OT/PT, Speech Language Pathologists, and Interventionists. The para educator is responsible for the duties outlined below.

• Assist the teacher in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Implement behavior support plans and ensure a safe and orderly classroom.
• Utilize activities such as mealtimes and transitions as teaching opportunities.
• Accompany students on community outings providing supervision and instruction.
• Ensure on-task behavior throughout the school day.
• Follow all applicable safety rules, procedures and policies as outlined in the handbook.
• Utilize emergency interventions as prescribed by the Safety Care Curriculum and Connecticut State Regulations.
• Implement therapy plans in the areas of behavior, speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy and support data collection.
• Utilize communication devices and techniques.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with verbal and non-verbal students, colleagues, and administration.
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team approach.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Use of standard office equipment, including computers, faxes and photocopiers.

• Ability to lift greater than 25 pounds.
• Get from kneeling to standing and standing to kneeling with ease and without outside support.
• Kneel on one knee, both knees.
• Get up and down from the floor without assistance.
• Bend from the legs with ease.
• Shuffle quickly on your feet front to back, back to front, side to side.
• Work in standard office, school building environments, and on buses or vans.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
• Demonstrate proficiency in de-escalation and restraint training (Safety Care).

• Ability to carry out instructions provided in written or oral form.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees, and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with parents and staff.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

• Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma.
• Have a strong interest in learning about working with students with disabilities.

• Pursuing a 4-year degree in a related field such as psychology, education, speech pathology, etc OR;
• 2-years experience working with a wide variety of people with disabilities.
• Experience in human services/ providing direct care.
• Must be able to pass a two-day Safety Care training program without restrictions.