Instructional Aide SCALE (7.5 hours/11 months), OSS/King Open

Position: Instructional Aide SCALE (7 hours/11 months)

Office of Student Services/King Open School 

About King Open School Community:

The King Open’s commitment statement reads, “The King Open is committed to increasing every student’s ability to monitor her or his own learning, to recognize the role of effort in learning, and to work and succeed independently as well as cooperatively.” Through differentiation and academic rigor, we provide our students with a well-rounded education that enables them to develop critical and flexible thinking capacities, collaboration skills, and a work ethic that prepares them to become productive citizens. We know that this commitment cannot be fully realized without the support of our families. Therefore, participation and feedback from parent/guardian/caregiver(s) is welcomed, and we are also committed to ensuring that all of our families are deeply connected with their child’s learning and the happenings in our school community.

Positive attitudes and perceptions influence teaching and learning. Here at the King Open, it is our shared responsibility to maintain and cultivate positive attitudes and perceptions as we work together to create and plan activities. An authentic respect for diversity, as evidenced by a sincere effort to learn about our students and to incorporate culturally responsive pedagogy into our day-to-day routines, will have a significant impact on creating/sustaining a safe, orderly, and high-achieving school community. We create opportunities for our students to acquire, integrate, extend, and refine content, as well as use it meaningfully, so that they develop the skills needed to actively explore and investigate the ever-changing world. Finally, reviewing student work and assessment data will enable the King Open staff to make informed decisions about instruction, with the goal of intentionally closing gaps in student learning and significantly increasing student achievement.

The Office of Student Services:

The Office of Student Services (OSS) is responsible for providing a variety of supports and services to students in Cambridge Public Schools (CPS). Our programs are dedicated to ensuring equitable access and success for students with disabilities and students who have advanced learning needs. 

SCALE Program:

SCALE stands for Social, Communication, Academic, and Life Skills Education. It is an eleven-month substantially separate program for scholars who require intensive, specially designed instruction in any or all of these areas in a specialized classroom setting. A majority of our scholars are on the Autism Spectrum; however, we provide services to students with a range of disabilities. We serve students throughout elementary, middle, and high school and also have a Post Graduate Program for young adults aged 18-22 who continue to qualify for special education services.

The Opportunity: 

The instructional aide paraprofessional reports to and is supervised by the special educator. They are primarily responsible for assisting in the implementation of each student’s Individualized Educational  Plan (IEP). 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Assist with instruction for students with disabilities  
• Supervise students with disabilities during non-instructional activities 
• Supervise students during transitions  
• Collaborate with general education, special education, and related services staff
• Accommodate and modify for student learning and support the general education teacher with  the implementation of appropriate accommodations in the general education setting
• Perform related duties as may be designated by the special educator or supervisor
• Toileting of students is a duty that an individual may be expected and required to perform as a  paraprofessional employed by the Cambridge Public Schools 

Your Skill Set: 

• Above average skills in collaboration 
• Excellent skills in oral communication 
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve 
• Experience working with students in urban environments 
• Must be energetic, enthusiastic, patient, and flexible 
• Assist in addressing the physical, educational, and social-emotional needs of the students
• Willingness to be trained in de-escalation and safe physical restraint techniques
• Must have the physical ability to work on the floor and move around the room to support  
• students and teachers in curriculum implementation, use of manipulatives, and other  instructional methods and materials 

Minimum Requirements:

Associates degree or 48 college credits from an accredited college or university preferred. Previous Montessori training or experience preferred

How to Join Our Team: 

Apply online at www.cpsd.us. Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.