- Position Type:
Paraeducators/Paraeducators
- Location:
Reggio Magnet School of the Arts
JOB DESCRIPTION
Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Building Administrator or designee, and with the support and oversight of a certified staff member, Paraeducators support certified staff in delivering educational services and programming to students, providing individualized or small-group assistance to enhance learning and foster student success. They assist with classroom management, support students with specialized needs, and help implement educational plans and activities. The Paraeducator works closely with educators to create a positive, inclusive, and effective learning environment, ensuring students receive the support necessary to meet their academic, social, and developmental goals. This role may involve assisting with instructional tasks, preparing materials, and monitoring student progress.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist and guide students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
- Work with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
- Assist staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests, and assessments.
- Assist in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
- Assist with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
- Assist with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
- Assist students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
- Accompanies and supervises students on field trips, ensuring safety, access, and engagement in activities while reinforcing behavior plans and promoting inclusion of all students.
- Construct, copy, distribute, and use educational materials as needed.
- Assist students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement of IEP objectives, etc.
- Contributes to the IEP process and serves as a resource for the evaluation team as needed.
- Assist students with activities of daily living (i.e. eating, dressing, communicating, buckling, and toileting) to maximize their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
- Models effective strategies, shares knowledge of student needs and classroom procedures, and offers guidance on day-to-day responsibilities and how-to's to promote consistency in practice of Paraeducators.
- Implement emergency interventions for students who are at risk of harming themselves or others by following school/program-approved procedures.
- Assists with implementing physical, occupational, and speech therapy plans, including use of communication devices, to support students' mobility, positioning, range of motion, and communication.
- Assist guidance, school counselors, pupil services staff, or building administration, as needed.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
COMPETENCIES:
Intrapersonal Competencies:
- Demonstrate a dedication to all learners � especially those historically marginalized.
- Demonstrate commitment to lifelong professional learning and growth.
Interpersonal Competencies:
- Support in creating positive learning environments (i.e., school and classroom culture) that support individual and collaborative learning.
- Build strong relationships with students, peers, families, and learning community members that contribute to individual and collective success.
- Contribute to the lifelong success of all learners, particularly those who have been historically marginalized due to background, demographics, neurodiversity, ability, or culture.
Cognitive Competencies:
- Utilize in-depth understanding of content and learning progressions to support learners and lead individual learners toward mastery.
- Demonstrate awareness of and employ culturally responsive teaching (CRT) to center students' diversity as a strength and asset in their learning journey.
- Employ techniques for developing students' skills of metacognition, self-regulation, and perseverance.
Instructional Competencies:
- Support in personalizing learning experiences.
- Develop student agency, ownership, self-advocacy, and effective communication skills with regard to learning.
- Assist with the use of technology in the service of learning and completing professional responsibilities (e.g., various learning platforms, gradebook, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office).
Teaching/Subject Assignment Specific:
- Support the teaching of foundational math concepts (e.g., number sense, operations, fractions, problem-solving) using hands-on activities and real-world applications.
- Strong knowledge of literacy development, including phonics, fluency,
comprehension, and writing instruction.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- For Title I-funded programs: (1) a high school diploma plus two years of college credit, or (2) an Associate of Arts degree, or (3) a passing score on one of two assessments approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education.
- ParaPro Assessment - passing score of 457 or greater
- OR Para Pathways Assessment
- Reading and Writing (5758)- passing score of 332 or greater
- Mathematics (5759)- passing score of 334 or greater
- For non-Title I-funded programs, a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Prior experience working with children with disabilities is desirable.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to meetings, trainings, and professional learning opportunities as required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working in a classroom demands prolonged standing/movement, frequent bending and crouching, lifting and carrying materials, fine motor skills for manipulating small objects, clear speaking voice, good vision and hearing, the ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously, and sometimes the need to move quickly to respond to student needs. Successful teachers require the ability to work in a high-energy environment with varying noise levels (from quiet to loud) based on student activity. Teachers are expected to work both indoors and outdoors (as needed) and may be expected to participate in off-site field experiences.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Group Health Insurance Plans
- Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
- Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
- Comprehensive benefit time package
- Employee Assistance Program
- Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
- Credit Union Access
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Employee Network Groups
- Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
- Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!
Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT:
CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice�ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions�that harm people from systematically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
