Job Description:
Derby Middle School is seeking a compassionate, skilled, and student-centered Paraeducator to join our RISE Room team. The RISE Room provides targeted academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and regulation support to middle school students who require additional structure and individualized intervention to be successful in the school environment.
The ideal candidate will understand that behavior is a form of communication and will approach students with patience, consistency, empathy, and a belief in their ability to grow. The Paraeducator will help create a predictable, supportive environment in which students can practice and strengthen academic, behavioral, social, and self-regulation skills.
About the RISE Room
The Derby Middle School RISE Room is designed to provide students with a structured and supportive setting when they need additional assistance to successfully engage in school. The program is grounded in our schoolwide RISE values:
- Respectful - We treat ourselves and others with dignity.
- Independent - We develop the skills to advocate for ourselves and take ownership of our learning and behavior.
- Safe - We create an environment where students and adults feel physically and emotionally safe.
- Empowered - We believe every student has the capacity to learn, grow, and contribute.
Essential Responsibilities
- Provide direct behavioral and academic support to students individually and in small groups.
- Implement individualized behavioral interventions and strategies under the direction of qualified school-based professionals and in accordance with student plans.
- Support students in developing self-regulation, coping, communication, social, executive functioning, and problem-solving skills.
- Assist students in identifying triggers and utilizing appropriate replacement behaviors and coping strategies.
- Reinforce positive behaviors and student progress using school- and student-appropriate reinforcement systems.
- Support students in transitioning successfully between classrooms, activities, and settings.
- Provide academic assistance and reinforce instructional strategies under the direction of classroom teachers and other certified staff.
- Help students develop independence rather than becoming dependent on adult support.
- Collect accurate behavioral and academic data as directed by the supervising teacher or behavior professional.
- Document student progress, interventions, and relevant observations in accordance with school and district expectations.
- Assist with the implementation of behavior support plans, IEP goals, and other individualized student supports as appropriate.
- Maintain a calm, predictable, structured, and welcoming RISE Room environment.
- Respond appropriately and safely to student dysregulation, escalation, and crises in accordance with district protocols and training.
- Support students in returning to instruction and the school community following behavioral incidents or periods of dysregulation.
- Collaborate with teachers to help students generalize skills learned in the RISE Room to their general education classrooms and other school settings.
- Participate as a member of the students educational support team and contribute relevant observations and data.
- Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism when working with students, families, and staff.
- Build positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Perform other duties as assigned by school administration.
Qualifications Required:
- Associates or Bachelors degree in education, psychology, behavioral science, special education, social work, or a related field, or completion of the ParaPro Exam.
- Experience working with children or adolescents with behavioral, academic, developmental, or social-emotional needs.
- Ability to successfully complete required background checks and district employment requirements.
- Ability to participate in required crisis prevention, safety, and behavioral support training.
- Previous experience working in a school setting.
- Experience implementing behavior intervention plans or individualized behavioral strategies.
- Experience working with middle school-aged students.
- Familiarity with special education, IEPs, MTSS, PBIS, SEL, or trauma-responsive practices.