Coverage Paraprofessionals
Coverage paraprofessionals will provide direct service to individual students and classrooms on an as needed basis. The Coverage Paraprofessional may be assigned to substitute for one-on-one and substantially separate classroom paraprofessionals. Coverage Paraprofessionals are expected to participate in the daily instruction and activities of the school program and class to which the student is assigned. Beyond the normal classroom activities, the duties of a Coverage Paraprofessional correspond directly to the needs of the student. Coverage Paras will be deployed by the OSESS and will be assigned to schools across the district. They are required to work schedules with varying start and end times.
Students who require a One-to-One Paraprofessional may have disabilities, diagnoses that include:
• Pervasive developmental disorder • Autism • Aspergers Syndrome • Williams Syndrome • Physical handicaps • Multiple handicaps • Blindness • Deafness • Tourettes Syndrome • Obsessive-compulsive disorder • Post-traumatic stress disorder • Psychiatric disorders • Psychosis • Multiple personalities • Depression • Oppositional defiant disorder • ADHD • Conduct disorder • Genetic disorders • Brain injury
Students who require a One-to-One Paraprofessional may also speak a language other than English.
Reports and Responsibilities
Reports to: Special Education Administrator, Centrally and Principal, Head of School
Responsibilities:
• Working with small groups of children instructionally • Toileting • Diapering • Lifting and transfers • Maintaining personal hygiene • Assisting the school nurse in tube feedings • Scribing note taking • Language systems (ASL, SEE 2, Picture Exchange System, communication boards, etc.) • Braille • Applied Behavioral Analysis • Behavior management • Redirection • De-escalation • Physical restraint
In some cases, the Paraprofessional may be required to be a specific gender due to the nature of the work or because of the individual history of the student. This requirement protects both the student and the One-to-one Paraprofessional.
Student Placement
Students with Paraprofessionals may be assigned to any school in the district, including examination schools. In these school assignments, students may be participating in advanced coursework and require assistance from a Paraprofessional. Collaborates with classroom teachers to implement agreed upon activities as evidenced in daily lesson plans. Fosters open communications with parents and staff.
Work Schedule and Requirements
The Paraprofessional is required to work the full-length paraprofessional work day of the school to which they are assigned. The daily hours of work may vary significantly, as some schools have early start and end times, and others have late start and end times. The range of possible work days for coverage paraprofessionals shall be reflected in the range of hours published for BPS schools.
Performs other related duties as requested by the Head of School, Principal, or School-based Special Education Administrator, particularly when the student is absent.
Qualifications
Required: • Education: High School Diploma or GED • Forty-eight (48) Credit Hours of College Coursework or an Associates Degree or a passing score on one of the two following Formalized Standardized Assessments: • ParaPro Assessment (http://www.ets.org/parapro) • WorkKeys Certificate of Proficiency for Teacher Assistants (http://www.act.org/workkeys/profcertindex.html) • Experience working with students who are diagnosed with one or more of the mild to moderate disabilities listed above • Demonstrated experience and ability working with students, parents, guardians, administrators, and teachers • Demonstrated experience and ability in assisting with team instruction • Able to be flexible to accommodate the needs of the student and/or parent/guardians • Trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) • Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment
Preferred: • BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity • BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS official languages: • Spanish • Creole • Cape Verdean • Haitian • Chinese • Vietnamese • Portuguese • Somali
Terms
• BTU Paraprofessional Unit Contractual hourly rate • Please refer to the Salary Information section on the Career Site for more information on compensation. Salaries are listed by Union and Grade • Step
Boston Public Schools in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of:
• Race • Color • Age • Criminal record inquiries only • Disability • Homelessness • Sex • Gender • Gender identity • Religion • National origin • Ancestry • Sexual orientation • Genetics • Military status
The Boston Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.
| Location | Roxbury, MA |