Educational Support Professional

The Dedham School District is hiring Education Support Professionals (ESPs) to fill open positions in the elementary, middle, and high school school programs. *Bilingual preferred but not required**ESPs work 30 hours per week and are eligible for benefits, including health insurance and paid time off (sick and personal days).These positions are covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.Please complete our online application and upload:• Cover Letter• Resume• Email addresses for three references. (References will automatically be sent a survey via email.) You may also upload letters of recommendation.Consistent and dependable attendance is required.Dedham Public Schools seeks candidates who share our commitment to the advancement of students from underrepresented groups or who have been historically underserved.Dedham Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Dedham Public Schools ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, dis/ability, or socioeconomic status. Every available opportunity will be taken in order to assure that each applicant for a position is selected on the basis of qualifications, merit, and ability.Qualifications:Required: High school diplomaPreferred: College degree in educationExperience with studentsDemonstrated effective organizational and interpersonal skillsAbility to work collaboratively with administrators, colleagues, parents/guardians, and others in the delivery of effective servicesFamiliarity with computer software applications including email, word processing, and other applications tailored to specific educational needsBilingual preferred but not requiredResponsibilities:Work collaboratively with the classroom teacher to provide individual, small group, and whole-class instruction for studentsSupervise students in all environmentsCollaborate with and participate in consultation with special education and related service providers who work with students in the classroomGENERAL DUTIES OF INSTRUCTIONAL PARAPROFESSIONALSInstructional ESPs, working under the direction and supervision of a certified teacher who is responsible for the design, implementation, assessment, and evaluation of student progress and instructional programs, provides academic and/or social-emotional support for students during the day.Support can be provided in whole class, small group, or one on one settings, in all content areas. In addition to classroom responsibilities, ESPs provide supervision at recess and lunch and perform other duties assigned to them.ESPs may engage in the following activities depending on grade level:Implement strategies and procedures developed by teachers to maintain safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.Under the guidance and supervision of a teacher, effectively implement learning strategies, prompting procedures, and other systematic instructional procedures using a variety of instructional grouping arrangements.Under the direction of the teacher, use developmentally and age-appropriate strategies, equipment, materials, and technologies in a manner that facilitates student learning and accomplishes instructional goals.Understand what the teacher expects from students and the consequences of failing to abide by classroom rules. The paraprofessional must enforce discipline in accordance with school, classroom, and individual rules, regulations, and plans.Implement individualized IEP plans.Reinforce behavior-management plans, collect data on student performance, or assist students at lunch and recess.Facilitate inclusion in general education classrooms and work within a substantially separate programSupervise students in all environments, including field trips and the playground.Collaborate with and participate in consultation with special education teachers and related service providers.Provide insight into a student's learning style for a general education/special education teacher.Assist teachers in monitoring student progress regarding academic performance/cognitive development, social development, and behavior.Using various teacher-developed assessment tools, assist teachers in documenting information about learners' strengths, needs, and performance.Assist with homework, grade papers, create learning materials, and maintain attendance and student charts, logs, etc.Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and other materials.Assist teachers in maintaining student records required by the school system or state mandates.Provide clerical support to teachers. Duties under this role include record keeping, charting, copying material, tracking changes in behavioral modification plans, and typing modified lesson plans.Follow teacher instructions and implement team decisions.Interact effectively with and demonstrate respect for the views, rights, and contributions of parents, teachers, and other school personnel.ESPs also assist with a wide range of behavioral problems or behavioral modification plans.Maintain strict confidentiality of individual students and their families.OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:Support the total school programExhibit proficiency, dependability, and punctuality in assigned dutiesStrive to improve professional competenceDisplay appropriate personal and professional traits that exhibit a positive role model for studentsFlexibility with job assignments as neededCOMPETENCIES:ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team to support students across the curriculumability to shift instruction and provide content-specific and behavioral support and interventionsability to accept and implement directionsability to be flexible with job assignments as neededPHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTSConsistent and dependable attendanceFrequent standingSignificant amounts of walkingESPs may be required to escort the student(s) to different classrooms, to recess, and to field trips, in addition to managing the student(s) activity levelWhile toileting and lifting may not be required in every case, a situation may arise where an ESP will be required to do soWORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS