Paraeducator-Therapeutic Program

The Amherst Public School District is seeking full time para-educators to work at Fort River Elementary School to provide social, emotional, behavior and academic support in grades K through 6 in the district-wide therapeutic program.

This position includes providing direct support and academic instruction to student(s) under the direction of a special education teacher, individually or small group, in the general education classroom or out of the classroom. It may also include supporting students in one or more of the following areas as applicable: expressive and receptive language, social skills, self regulation, fine motor and/or sensory processing. It may also include attending related service (OT, PT, SLH, etc.) therapy sessions to facilitate carryover of skills from one setting to another.

Experience with or willingness to train in order to

• Effectively work with students to support their academic growth and progress
• Effectively work with students who may require behavioral de-escalation techniques, physical supports
• Collect data as outlined by students’ individual programming and overseen by the teacher

Possess the following:

• Commitment towards inclusion that benefits students socially, emotionally and academically
• Experience with a diverse population of students within a multicultural school / community
• Positive outlook, strong interpersonal skills and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to multitask, be flexible and work within a fast paced environment
• Growth mindset and desire to learn

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to assist students perform tasks, speak to deliver instruction and behavioral directives, and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee may also be required to use physical interventions to maintain the safety of students.

Highly qualified candidates who are bilingual/bicultural are encouraged to apply