Dedham High School Paraprofessional

These are full-time, school-year positions (183 work days per year) and begin on September 1, 2023.

Paraprofessionals work 30 hours per week and are eligible for benefits, including health insurance and paid time off (sick and personal days).

These positions are covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Please complete our online application and upload: • Cover Letter • Resume • Email addresses for three references.  (References will automatically be sent a survey via email.) You may also upload letters of recommendation.

Consistent and dependable attendance is required.

Dedham Public Schools seeks candidates who share our commitment to the advancement of students from underrepresented groups or who have been historically underserved.

Dedham Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Dedham Public Schools ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, dis/ability, or socioeconomic status.  Every available opportunity will be taken in order to assure that each applicant for a position is selected on the basis of qualifications, merit, and ability.

Qualifications:

• Required: High school diploma
• Preferred: College degree in education
• Experience with students
• Demonstrated effective organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with administrators, colleagues, parents/guardians, and others in the delivery of effective services
• Familiarity with computer software applications including email, word processing, and other applications tailored to specific educational needs

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the classroom teacher to provide individual, small group, and whole-class instruction for students
• Supervise students in all environments
• Collaborate with and participate in consultation with special education and related service providers who work with students in the classroom

GENERAL DUTIES OF INSTRUCTIONAL PARAPROFESSIONALS

Instructional paraprofessionals, working under the direction and supervision of a certified teacher who is responsible for the design, implementation, assessment, and evaluation of student progress and instructional programs, provides academic and/or social-emotional support for students during the day.

Support can be provided in whole class, small group, or one on one settings, in all content areas.  In addition to classroom responsibilities, Paraprofessionals provide supervision at recess and lunch and perform other duties assigned to them.

Paraprofessionals may engage in the following activities depending on grade level:

• Implement strategies and procedures developed by teachers to maintain safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a teacher, effectively implement learning strategies, prompting procedures, and other systematic instructional procedures using a variety of instructional grouping arrangements.
• Under the direction of the teacher, use developmentally and age-appropriate strategies, equipment, materials, and technologies in a manner that facilitates student learning and accomplishes instructional goals.
• Understand what the teacher expects from students and the consequences of failing to abide by classroom rules. The paraprofessional must enforce discipline in accordance with school, classroom, and individual rules, regulations, and plans.
• Implement individualized IEP plans.
• Reinforce behavior-management plans, collect data on student performance, or assist students at lunch and recess.
• Facilitate inclusion in general education classrooms and work within a substantially separate program
• Supervise students in all environments, including field trips and the playground.
• Collaborate with and participate in consultation with special education teachers and related service providers.
• Provide insight into a student's learning style for a general education/special education teacher.
• Assist teachers in monitoring student progress regarding academic performance/cognitive development, social development, and behavior.
• Using various teacher-developed assessment tools, assist teachers in documenting information about learners’ strengths, needs, and performance.
• Assist with homework, grade papers, create learning materials, and maintain attendance and student charts, logs, etc.
• Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and other materials.
• Assist teachers in maintaining student records required by the school system or state mandates.
• Provide clerical support to teachers. Duties under this role include record keeping, charting, copying material, tracking changes in behavioral modification plans, and typing modified lesson plans.
• Follow teacher instructions and implement team decisions.
• Interact effectively with and demonstrate respect for the views, rights, and contributions of parents, teachers, and other school personnel.
• Paraprofessionals also assist with a wide range of behavioral problems or behavioral modification plans.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of individual students and their families.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the total school program
• Exhibit proficiency, dependability, and punctuality in assigned duties
• Strive to improve professional competence
• Display appropriate personal and professional traits that exhibit a positive role model for students
• Flexibility with job assignments as needed

COMPETENCIES:

• ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team to support students across the curriculum
• ability to shift instruction and provide content-specific and behavioral support and interventions
• ability to accept and implement directions
• ability to be flexible with job assignments as needed

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS

• Consistent and dependable attendance
• Frequent standing
• Significant amounts of walking
• Paraprofessionals may be required to escort the student(s) to different classrooms, to recess, and to field trips, in addition to managing the student(s) activity level
• While toileting and lifting may not be required in every case, a situation may arise where a paraprofessional will be required to do so

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The school environment can be high-energy and moderately noisy. Before/after school, recess and field trips may require time outdoors in inclement weather.