Northeast Woodland Paraprofessional Qualifications
- Experience working with and instructing children.
- Openness to knowledge of Waldorf pedagogy, principles, and methods for curriculum and instruction design, including teaching and instruction for individuals and groups and the measurement of instruction efficacy.
- Willingness to learn about child development; the relationship between curriculum and child development; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Engages in learning about developmental and relationship based approaches to student behavior.
- An ability and willingness to focus on pre-emptive student interventions to avoid escalating behaviors.
- Support students by adapting student work when appropriate.
- Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing student work, and workplace terminology.
- Ability to be outdoors and on your feet for extended periods (multiple times every day and for full days on some occasions) in all weather conditions, including below freezing temperatures, rain, and snow, while navigating uneven ground including mud, ice, snowy surfaces, and rocky/rooty trails.
- Proficiency in or the ability to learn the following software: Google suite (drive, classroom, gmail, sheets), ParentSquare, Canva, ALMA, NWEA & NH SAS testing platforms
- Ability to speak and writein appropriate and professional ways to effectively communicate with given audiences (students, parents, coworkers, etc.)
- Strong English comprehension
- Strong decision making and risk management skills
- Ability to manage resources appropriately
- Strong social skills including social awareness, a commitment to service, and the ability to compromise, coordinate, and negotiate
Northeast Woodland Paraprofessional Roles & Responsibilities
Communication - Maintaining open communication with the Lead Teacher, Specials Teachers, and the Special Education staff is critical to the success of this role. The Lead Teacher/ Specials Teacher will advise and direct the Paraprofessional in their work with the assigned student. Questions should be directed to the Lead Teacher. The Lead Teacher is the primary pathway for communication with parents. Any communication with parents should be approved by the Lead Teacher.
Paraprofessionals are required to sign in and out in the HR office to track hours. Paraprofessionals will communicate observed student incidents to the Lead Teacher within the same day, so the teacher may write a report.
Activate school email account, check daily, and respond to emails within 24 hours of receipt.
Classroom Management Support - Utilize a relationship based approach to work with all students including building awareness and engagement with our three care streams approach, the Integrative Student Support reference materials, and Kim John Payne’s work/tools for supporting students in the classroom. Help maintain a positive and safe learning environment for the student and the class, including assisting with transitions and classroom routines.
The Paraprofessional will manage data collection with guidance from the Special Education Teacher. The data may be to track goals focused on emotional regulation, academics, and/or social interactions.
Assist the student with social interactions with awareness of social goals in the student’s IEP. Support the student in proper use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage. Follow the student’s daily plan, including breaks, walks, and preferred activities.
Role Relationships - Confidentiality regarding work with students is of the utmost importance. Avoid discussing students in public spaces, in front of other children, and within hearing distance of the student themself.
If you have an issue with a Lead Teacher that cannot be resolved through direct communication, the next step would be to reach out to the Pedagogical Director or HR. Regular consultation with the Lead Teacher is required.
Conflict Resolution - As a Paraprofessional you will sometimes be responsible for working with students experiencing struggle. We strive to intervene proactively, providing students with reminders, breaks, and physical activity to avoid escalating situations and classroom disruptions.If a situation arises where help is needed, call the lead teacher and/or administration for assistance on the walkie talkie.
Job Responsibilities - The Paraprofessional will accompany the student on out of school trips. These will require following a pre-planned protocol prepared by the Special Education Teacher closely.
Work Setting - We go outside in all weather conditions daily. Please follow clothing guidelines that are provided to families to model appropriate outdoor dress for students. Long walks can be a regular occurrence with students. There is uneven terrain in our environment. You may encounter ice, mud, snow, rain while outside. We are a two-story building with stairs and an elevator. You are on your feet and active throughout the school day.
Environmental Conditions - You may encounter ice, mud, snow, rain, and below freezing temperatures. We go outside in all weather conditions.
Job Hazards - You may encounter ice, mud, snow, rain, and below freezing temperatures. We go outside in all weather conditions. The likelihood of injury is low but not zero. Injury is possible when walking on uneven ground or in slippery conditions.
Body Positioning - You may be required to crouch, sit, stand, and run to engage with students in this position. The Paraprofessional may be required to attend class field trips that may require extended walking, standing, hiking etc.
Work Attire - We have a dress code that requires clothing to be neat, able to move freely, no inappropriate language or symbols, no jeans with holes and no tops that expose the employees stomach. We also require closed-toe shoes.
Impact of Role - This role supporting students' access to classroom education is critical to the success of our school.
Routine versus Challenging Work - The daily work of supporting an individual student with special needs has a wide variety of routine support and challenging work. The assigned student will have a mix of successful days and more challenging days. Recess and specialty classes are more challenging times for student behaviors. Outdoor time in inclement weather is also more challenging.
Pace and Scheduling - The typical school day schedule runs from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Friday afternoons, students are dismissed early to allow for staff meetings which the Paraprofessional is required to attend and run until 3:30pm. The Paraprofessional is required to be at school for our morning meeting at 7:30am and report to their classroom. The Paraprofessional will be provided with a 30 minute break during the day. The Paraprofessional will also be assigned additional duties for recess times, arrival and/or dismissal times. There are 174 scheduled days of school with an additional 14 days of work time. This includes teacher work days, conference days, and the May Faire, which falls on a Saturday. The Paraprofessional will participate in one Faculty Committee. The Paraprofessional must abide by the attached calendar. The Northeast Woodland School Board may modify the school calendar during the same school year and the Paraprofessional must continue to abide by such modifications.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $26.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
