Child Specific Assistant

Posted: November 15, 2023 Closed: Open Until Filled
Employment Opportunity: Shrewsbury Public Schools
POSITION: Paraprofessional Child Specific Classroom Aide
Full-time: 2023-2024 School Year

Shrewsbury Public Schools has immediate openings and is currently accepting applications for Child Specific Aides. This is a benefit and association (union) eligible position.

The Child Specific Aide position is generally full-time during the school year with some opportunities to work in the summer special education program. These aides work with students in a “Child Specific Aide” situation, which may include a 1:1, 1:2 or another designated placement ratio. These aides work in schools/programs with assigned students in all grades. Students receive support both in and out of the general education environment.

We are interested in candidates who are invested in the achievement, equity, and access of all learners in and beyond the classroom.

Candidates with diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, class, and/or gender background and experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
May potentially work 1:1 or in a 1:2 or other designated ratio depending on the nature of the disability and learning needs
May work with a small group or whole of students to facilitate lessons and activities following the classroom teacher’s instructions
Based on the student population and census in the building, may be assigned to different buildings
May participate and facilitate in Community activities (i.e. vocational, travel training, independent living skills, etc.)
Follow prescribed criteria for providing and/or fading student support
Provide academic support based on classroom assignments and curriculum presented. This may include pre-teaching and re-teaching
Support students to ensure their educational materials and assignments are organized and followed through on
Provide all accommodations delineated within a student’s designated IEP/504
Implement modifications that have been developed by the classroom teacher and/or Special Education teacher
Develop materials based on specific instruction from the classroom teacher and/or Special Education teacher
Potentially assigned to multiple/different classroom, grade levels or teams
Ability to implement behavioral/social support plans within the classroom to individual students or group of students (including but not limited to attending, non-compliance, completion of tasks, wandering, following rules and classroom expectations)
Regular Education and Special Education students will be supported
If you are primarily assigned to a student but are working on independent skills, you may support other students
Provide general support for the classroom teacher
Complete all required documentation related to incidents, accidents, discipline, assault, etc.
Complete data collection related to academic functioning/student performance that supports instruction
Support students accessing technology
Provide classroom coverage when needed
Provide carryover of instructional practices developed by related service providers (Speech, OT, PT, Psychologist, etc.)
Creating opportunities and instructing students to be independent in a variety of settings across their school day
Support students during their specials, lunch, and recess times
May support a student during arrival and dismissal
Facilitate positive relationships and engagements with peers
May participate in team level meetings and consultations, clinics
Share relevant information about learners with teachers and other school personnel as needed to facilitate problem solving, decision making, and program planning
Support students with organization of materials, assignments, and schedules
May need to assist with note taking or scribing
Maintain student confidentiality
Assist in the development of portfolios for MCAS when appropriate
Assist in the facilitation of MCAS based on accommodations
Ensure that all accommodations outlined in the DCAP (District Curriculum Accommodation Plan) are implemented based on student needs
Carry out other assignments designated by the Principal

Required Skills, Experience, Competencies:
High school degree or equivalent
One or more years of experience in a similar role
Exhibits the core values of Shrewsbury Public Schools
Academic knowledge of the grade level supported
Enjoys children and is dedicated to the education of all children
Works flexibly in a changing environment

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to effectively communicate
The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, climb, run
The employee must occasionally be able to lift and/or safely move children/objects
The employee must be able to work in a noisy, stressful, high-pressure environment, and still be able to concentrate and keep children safe
Ability to respond to emergency situations (e.g. injured student, fights, behavior problems, abusive students, etc.)
May be exposed to bodily fluids including saliva, urine, feces, vomit, blood, and/or other bodily fluids
The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness, although in a clean environment
May assist medically fragile or physically disabled students for the purpose of maintaining students’ personal hygiene
May assist students with physical and/or cognitive disabilities with grooming, feeding, toileting, diapering.

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, official or unofficial copies of undergraduate/graduate transcripts, license # or unofficial copy of license if applicable, and three current professional letters of reference, including one from a direct supervisor or evaluator.

Please apply via www.schoolspring.com or email the above hiring material to Meghan Bartlett at CSAPostings @shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

The Shrewsbury Public Schools is an affirmative action employer, ensuring that its programs and facilities are accessible to the public. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, disability, gender identity, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions, national origin, homelessness, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status or class protected by state or federal law.