Paraeducator - River Street School - JOB ID# 14226

About the Role

Full time paraeducators are needed to work 26/27 school year under the direction of a special education teacher at the River Street School in Windsor, CT. This position consists of 211 total workdays, including 182 regular school-year days and 29 summer days as part of a 6-week summer program.

River Street School is a Student Services School where area public school districts refer students based on needed supports for IEP or 504 plan. The student population ranges in age from 5 years old to 21 years old. The majority of students have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and present with a variety of challenges, including but not limited to: physical and/or behavioral challenges, toileting issues, basic life skill supportive needs, non-verbal communication, etc.

Responsibilities

• Utilize Applied Behavior Analysis methodology to provide instructional support in small and large group settings
• Teach daily living skills and collect data on all IEP objectives
• Work in collaboration with an assigned classroom teacher and support team including but not limited to Behavior Analysts, OT/PT, Speech Language Pathologists, and Interventionists
• Assist the teacher in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs
• Implementation of the behavior support plans and ensure a safe and orderly classroom
• Utilize activities such as mealtimes and transitions as teaching opportunities
• Accompany students on community outings providing supervision and instruction
• Ensure on-task behavior throughout the school day
• Follow all applicable safety rules, procedures and policies as outlined in the handbook
• Utilize emergency interventions as prescribed by the Safety Care Curriculum and Connecticut State Regulations
• Implement therapy plans in the areas of behavior, speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy and support data collection
• Utilize communication devices and techniques
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with verbal and non-verbal students, colleagues, and administration
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team approach
• Perform any other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma
• Have a strong interest in learning about working with students with disabilities
• Ability to carry out instructions provided in written or oral form
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees, and others
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with parents and staff
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lift greater than 25 pounds
• Get from kneeling to standing and standing to kneeling with ease and without outside support
• Kneel on one knee, both knees
• Get up and down from the floor without assistance
• Bend from the legs with ease
• Shuffle quickly on your feet front to back, back to front, side to side
• Work in standard office, school building environments, and on buses or vans
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities
• Demonstrate proficiency in de-escalation and restraint training (Safety Care)
• Must be able to pass a two-day safety care training program without restrictions

Preferred

• Pursuing a 4-year-degree in a related field such as psychology, education, speech pathology, etc.
• 2-years experience working with a wide variety of people with disabilities
• Experience in human services / providing direct care