Paraeducator

Paraeducator Position

The Wethersfield Public Schools partner with the community and families in fostering our students' ongoing education in a safe and engaging learning environment. Our schools are demographically diverse and are characterized by respectful behavior, trusting relationships, caring educators/administrators/staff and continuous learning.

Position: Paraeducator

Location: District opening could be placed at any of 8 school locations

Reports To: Director/Supervisor for Special Services & Building Principal

Start Date: August 27, 2025

Compensation: $19.94-$24.39 per hour worked (per bargaining contact)

Work Year: 10-month position, 25-29 hours per week (late August to mid-June)

Daily Hours: Monday Friday (start and end times may vary based on building assignment; includes 30 minute unpaid lunch)

Application Date: Posting will remain open until filled

Benefits: As a paraeducator working less than 30 hours per week, you will be eligible for various benefits including paid sick time, paid personal days, and retirement benefits. Please note there are no health care, life insurance, or disability benefits associated with this position for work assignments less than 30 hours/week.

The Wethersfield Public Schools has multiple openings for 25-29 hour per week Paraeducators. The chosen candidates will be responsible for providing support to one or more students throughout the academic day, providing support in the areas of academic, social and behavioral growth and development.

Paraeducators are critical to the student's ongoing success and will provide value through fostering positive relationships, communicating effectively with staff and students, demonstrating patience and compassion, maintaining confidentiality, always holding a positive attitude, demonstrating flexibility throughout the course of the day, and being one to establish/model the behavior and academic progress we seek in our students.

Candidates must be aware the district reserves the right to move paraeducators between assignments/schools during the school year at its discretion in order to efficiently support and service our students. Additionally, some assignments may require the paraeducator to be assigned to a daily work schedule beyond the student school day in order to provide necessary adult supervision for students at all times (i.e., bus ride supervisor before/after school).

Duties of the position include the following:

• Maintain a high level of fairness, respect and equity with students, families and staff
• Understand and maintain boundaries and confidentiality with students, families and staff
• Be able to work independently with small groups of students in various environments
• Demonstrate willingness to work with all students with various levels of functioning and disabilities including but not limited to: learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, ADHD, speech/language impairments, multiple disabilities, etc., across all grade levels
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with co-workers
• Implement and support behavior plans and strategies under teacher direction
• Collect and record student data adhering to the supervising teachers' directions and requirements
• Act as a liaison between teachers
• Accept work direction willingly, shift work assignments and accept changes and new job assignments as needed
• Consult daily with special education teacher regarding daily responsibilities
• Provide personal assistance to students, as needed, to address mobility, positioning, personal care, daily activities, and utilizing the restroom
• Facilitate students with developing communication skills, social skills, academic skills, self-help skills and promoting independence
• Ability to be trained in and implement Crisis Prevention and Intervention strategies, including de-escalation strategies and physical restraints
• Remain flexible to work in the community as job coach for students requiring transition services
• Utilize various forms of technology, including assistive technology, to support students learning and communication needs
• As part of the daily work assignment, may be scheduled to ride the bus (before/after school) with students who require adult supervision
• Other duties as assigned by administration

This is a 10 month Union position.

Qualifications:

• Hold Associates Degree, have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, or have successfully completed the ParaPro Assessment
• Ability to work under the direction of classroom teacher and specialists
• Experience working with students with special needs; highly preferred individuals who have specific training and/or experience with students with significant cognitive, social/emotional and learning needs
• Ability to work cooperatively with administration, regular education teachers, support staff and parents
• Ability to work with all levels of students with special needs and disabilities in general education settings, and/or special education settings including WPS district's special education programs
• Must have capability to follow teacher and related staff instructions in regard to work modifications and behavior plans
• Ability to review developmental and remedial materials in a clear and efficient manner
• Ability to assist teacher in handling interruptions/emergencies, move swiftly, and hold training (or show ability to be trained) to perform physical restraint in case of emergency
• Must be able to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds
• Must demonstrate ability to sit up to thirty (30) minutes on the floor or in a child-sized chair; additional requirements may include carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing/balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling and crouching (note: generally, the job requires 40% sitting, 30% standing, 30% walking)

Interested candidates must apply online at:

Wethersfield Public School System-Nondiscrimination Policy The Wethersfield Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. The Wethersfield Public Schools does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity of expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws.

Inquiries regarding the Wethersfield Public School System's nondiscrimination policies and practices should be directed to: Title IX Coordinator, Director of Special Services, 127 Hartford Avenue, Wethersfield, CT 06109