Special Education Paraeducators

Danbury Public Schools is a diverse community located in western Connecticut, serving more than 12,500 students. We are committed to cultivating equity and excellence for all students, closing opportunity gaps, and preparing students for post-secondary success. Our district includes 13 elementary schools, three middle schools, and the Danbury Career Academies, which provide innovative pathways supported by faculty with both academic and real-world experience.

About the role

Special Education Tutors are part of an individual student's support team, created by the Special Education and Related Services teams, to ensure the best educational outcomes for students with a variety of needs. Tutors are assigned to a small group of students (often 1 to 3) to support the classroom teacher's work. Tutors must follow specific instructions from teachers, maintain confidentiality, and exercise discretion when interacting with students, colleagues, and families.

Responsibilities

• Work with individual students or small groups under the supervision of a certified teacher to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
• Collect data on student progress.
• Assist the teacher in the handling, operation, and care of equipment, including media and instructional materials.
• Assist with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, field trips, and other non-classroom activities.
• Check notebooks, correct papers, and supervise testing and make-up work as assigned by the teacher.
• Assist the teacher with non-instructional duties, such as snack, toilet, and clothing routines.
• Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Alert the regular teacher regarding any problem or special information related to an individual student.
• Help students master equipment or instructional materials assigned by the teacher.
• Guide independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work set and assigned by the teacher.
• Distribute and collect workbooks, papers, and other materials for instruction.
• Assist in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning school environment.
• Help students complete research and learning projects.
• Talk to and attempt to calm student(s) who are distressed.
• Attend inclusion classes with special education students and assist in implementing alternative instructional strategies.
• Assist with implementation of inclusion plans for students.
• Assist in maintaining an environment conducive to learning as requested by the teacher.
• Assist with discipline and other classroom duties as requested by the teacher.
• Assist the teacher in supervising students on arrival to or departure from school and all transitional times.
• Assist in monitoring students during eating periods.
• Assist with playground supervision, as needed.
• Assist in hall and stairway supervision.
• Escort students to other rooms/locations as required.
• Willingness to serve as a bus monitor.
• Maintain the same high level of ethical behavior and sensitivity of information about students as is expected of a certified teacher or assistant teacher.
• Attend staff development workshops to enhance instructional delivery to children.
• Participate in in-service training programs, as assigned.
• May work with special needs student(s) to assist with daily living needs, such as feeding and bathroom accommodations.
• Assist in other related duties that may be assigned by the teacher.
• Only in specifically identified assignments, may be asked to assist in one or more of the following services:
  • Therapeutic feeding
  • Diaper changing
  • Toileting
  • Self-help skills
  • Muscle tone exercises
  • Positioning
  • Colostomy care
  • Embarkation/debarkation of buses including lifting of students when necessary
• Perform related duties as appropriate for the position as assigned by the appropriate administrator/supervisor.

Requirements

• High School Diploma required.
• Must meet NCLB Para compliance requirements, as applicable.
• Must possess or be willing to acquire the necessary skills to support students with autism, ABA, behavioral needs, and activities of daily living, such as feeding.
• Experience and/or training in working with children.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions effectively.
• Exhibits good judgment, patience, tact, and courtesy.
• Physical condition suitable for the demands of the position.

Pay

Full-time position, 32.5 hours per week. Hourly Rate: $20.00 or $23.00, depending on Tier assignment.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare Benefits plan available to all full-time employees, with a generous Health Care Reimbursement Account to defray deductible costs.
• Dental plans available.