Special Education Instructional Paraprofessional - Witchcraft Heights Elementary School - IMMEDIATE OPENING

About Salem Public Schools

Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public School educators are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. We seek individuals who are able to serve all of our students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Salem Public Schools has a clear equity statement and core values that guide and drive our work as an anti-racist organization. Applicants who have experienced working in urban schools and have bilingual skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do:

Paraprofessionals assist teachers and/or other service providers in providing an innovative, high quality education program designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities in the Salem Public Schools. Paraprofessionals work with school staff to create an educational environment in which quality, social connections and continuity are key factors. In addition to sound reasoning and good organizational skills, paraprofessionals are expected to contribute to a positive school culture and climate. Paraprofessionals are district-wide employees and subject to the negotiated Paraprofessional Contract, as well as the rules and regulations of Salem Public Schools

The position includes providing academic support, the use of technology and may include providing behavioral interventions. The right person for this position is eager to work in a high school setting, assisting students with accessing the curriculum and engaging in social aspects of the high school community. The paraprofessional must be dependable, organized, flexible and willing to learn through hands-on experience, professional reading/training and through consultation and observation with teachers, clinicians and specialists.

Role Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate an understanding of assigned student’s profile and learning needs, read student IEPs and engage in related PD
• Report to assigned classes according to schedule set by special education supervisor
• Support and collaborate with the general education and special education teachers and service providers on an ongoing basis
• Reinforce and redeliver lessons
• Assist with student supervision; administer behavior management programs/point systems, data taking, under the direction of the classroom teacher
• Assist teacher in implementing accommodations and specialized strategies for instruction and skill reinforcement
• Facilitate social interactions and model language between peers
• Support students with their use of technology when in person, remote or in hybrid learning environments
• Escort and assist student as needed throughout the building, on community-based experiences, during lunch/recess and during arrival and dismissal
• Follow direction of the supervisor/teacher and assure safety of student at all times
• Step in to assist with general classroom operations and supervision, as needed
• Attend district-wide and building-based professional development and training
• Other duties as prescribed by building administrative staff and PPS Executive Director, as described within the Paraprofessional contract

What You’ll Bring:

We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:

• Hold a deep commitment to students and families and value diversity - The SPS community is vibrant, diverse in background, ethnicity, language, and perspective. You embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all members of the SPS community and view our diversity as a powerful resource that supports us each in learning and doing our best work.
• Hold high expectations for yourself, students, and colleagues – You see potential in all, especially our SPS students, and maintain high expectations for achievement, while providing the support necessary to meet that bar. You hold yourself to high expectations, modeling SPS values and seeking opportunities to continuously improve.
• Build authentic, caring relationships with colleagues, students, and families – You build strong relationships across students, families, and colleagues that are collaborative in nature and contribute to the individual and collective success of SPS. You partner with families and colleagues to make decisions in the best interest of students and learning.
• Embrace feedback – You are a reflective practitioner who learns from mistakes and challenges and uses them as opportunities for growth. You model persistence and growth mindset and thrive in a culture of feedback.

The selected candidate must have the skills, abilities and aptitude to meet all unique needs of their assigned students.

Job requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Forty-eight (48) Credit Hours of College Coursework or an Associate’s Degree, or a passing score on one of the two following Formalized Standardized Assessments: ParaPro Assessment (http://www.ets.org/parapro/ ) or WorkKeys
• Safety-Care Trained or willing to be trained (District will provide training)
• Minimum of one year experience working with school-aged students, preferred
• Written and Oral English proficiency required; fluency in Spanish advantageous
• Basic computer literacy skills. Familiarity with using chromebooks and remote learning platforms and applications advantageous
• Current authorization to work in the United States

The Paraprofessional reports to the building Principal, Special Education Supervisor, students’ assigned classroom teacher(s) and Executive Director of Special Education.

This is a school-year position, following the assigned school’s hours. Salary according to union contract.

Contact Information:

Linda Farinelli, Executive Director

Department of Special Education

Salem Public Schools

29 Highland Avenue

Salem, MA 01970

Phone: 978-740-1249

Fax: 978-740-1137

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.