SY24-25 Van Sickle Prep Middle School Instructional Paraprofessional - Springfield Public Schools

Summary and Overview

In 2015, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Springfield Public Schools partnered to form the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP). SEZP is committed to ensuring that the nine middle schools in “The Zone” are engaging environments where teachers receive the supports they need to grow professionally, and students have the opportunity to acquire the academic and personal skills to succeed in the college or career of their choice.

Each SEZP school has the autonomy to craft and implement its own, unique vision for success and receives support from an ecosystem of national-caliber partners. Furthermore, Teacher Leadership Teams at each school ensure that teacher voice is heard and that there is strong communication between school administration and staff.

SEZP is seeking educators who are excited to work in a collaborative, engaging, diverse, and high energy environment. Great professional development, ample teacher leadership opportunities and competitive salary and benefits make SEZP a great place to be a teacher.

Teach

• Broaden your impact and become a part of rebuilding an urban school district where you’ll receive ongoing support to help you and your students reach your full potential.
• Serve a diverse population of urban high-need students.
• Teach in small autonomous learning communities - many SEZP schools are creating intimate, personalized environments for their students.

Grow

• Access to professional development resources through colleagues at your school and a network of SEZP partners.
• Teacher leadership opportunities – many SEZP schools are creating opportunities for effective and experienced teachers to take on leadership roles and increased levels of responsibility without having to leave the classroom.
• Receive a competitive salary and benefits.

Duties:

Paraprofessionals provide assistance to teachers and other school personnel in the delivery of quality education and support services for students in an array of classroom settings. Examples of support services and educational settings include, but are not limited to: life skills, developmental classrooms, social, emotional, & behavioral support (SEBS), LINKS (Autism) program, visual or mobility orientation, language learning delays and medical care.

In addition, the Collective Bargaining Agreement contains language in Article V – Working Conditions – J. Diapering/Toileting indicating that paraprofessionals hired after ratification (April 16, 1998) are hired with Diapering/Toileting/Toilet Training services as part of their job requirement. Please read this Section of your contract carefully to insure that you clearly understand this condition of your employment as a paraprofessional. The Springfield Public Schools will be requiring you to sign a Statement of Agreement in this matter and will review this with you prior to you beginning your employment position.

This position is responsible for providing instructional assistance, classroom support, and implementation of effective classroom strategies and procedures under the direction of classroom teachers and/or other school personnel. A high level of professionalism and ethical behavior is expected consistent with the job duties and responsibilities of a paraprofessional.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED, and
• Associate of Arts or Science Degree or higher, or
• 60 undergraduate college credits, or
• Meeting or exceeding the State mandated score on the Paraprofessional Assessment or Work Keys Assessment

Preferred Qualifications:
• BA Degree with Educator Licensure
• Experience working with special education students in education settings

**A passing score on the Work Keys Exams in the following areas:

• Workplace Documents: 5
• Applied Math: 4
• Business Writing: 3 

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Katie O’Sullivan, Senior Administrator of Human Resources, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55428, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com.

Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com