Paraeducator, Thomas Fleming School (Grades 3-5)

Essex Westford School District (EWSD) is seeking a full-time Paraeducator (Mainstream Instructional Assistant) to support students in grades 3–5 at Thomas Fleming School.

Paraeducators play an important role in helping students access learning, participate in the school community, and build independence in an inclusive classroom environment. Working alongside classroom teachers and support staff, paraeducators provide academic, behavioral, and other student support based on individual needs. Within EWSD, this position is also known as a Mainstream Instructional Assistant (Mainstream IA).

This position is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with children, building positive relationships, and being part of a collaborative school team.

What You’ll Do

• Support Learning: Assist students with classroom activities and academic tasks, implement IEP-driven instructional strategies, and adapt or modify materials in collaboration with teachers.
• Support Student Success: Implement student-specific support and behavior plans, encourage positive peer interactions, and help students develop independence and successful school routines.
• Provide Physical & Personal Care Support: Assist students with mobility, positioning, personal care, and other health-related needs as appropriate.
• Collect & Track Data: Accurately collect and document information related to student academic performance, behavior, and progress. Assist with informal assessments and monitoring of student goals.
• Supervise Students: Provide support and supervision throughout the school day, including classroom activities, lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other instructional or non-instructional settings.
• Collaborate as a Team: Work closely with teachers and other school staff to provide consistent support and contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay: $23.51 per hour, based on experience

EWSD offers excellent benefits, including:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid school vacation days — full-time school-year employees receive five paid school vacation days each school year, increasing to eight paid days beginning in the 2027–28 school year
• Medical and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan with up to a 6% employer contribution

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with elementary-age children
• Ability to follow directions and implement educational and behavior programs
• Ability to accurately collect data and maintain confidentiality
• Physical capacity to support student mobility, positioning, and care needs
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a school team
• Ability to support students with a variety of academic, behavioral, physical, and personal care needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or two years of college coursework
• Previous experience working with children in an educational or support setting
• Training or experience in special education, behavior support, or inclusive practices
• Familiarity with IEP implementation and data collection procedures

For additional information, CLICK HERE for a copy of the full job description.

Our district vision is: "Growing hearts and minds, for a better today and tomorrow: every day, every way, every one."

EWSD is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Successful candidates must be committed to working effectively with diverse community populations and are expected to strengthen such capacity if hired. Candidates with experience working in another country, the ability to speak more than one language fluently, and/or Peace Corps experience are encouraged to apply to help contribute to a diversity of thinking and grow our organizational practices.

EWSD conducts thorough screenings of all applicants being recommended for hire, which may include contacting references not listed on your application. Selected individuals are subject to criminal records background checks and child and adult abuse registry checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon acceptable results of these checks at the sole discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee. Please click HERE for additional background check information.