Paraeducator - PAWS Academy (K-8)

Job Title:

Paraeducator - PAWS Academy at Hildreth (K-8)

School Year:

2026 - 2027

Salary:

$23.69 Per Hour

Organizational Relationship or Line of Authority:

Works under Building Director and/or his/her designee and is directed by designated special education staff to support students in special education and Director of Student Services for overall functions

PAWS Academy at Hildreth

This is an opportunity to be part of a new school The PAWS Program (Perseverance, Achievement, Wellness, and Success) is a public day special education, therapeutic educational school setting serving K–8 students whose behavioral and social-emotional needs significantly impact their learning. PAWS provides a safe, highly structured, and supportive environment where staff implement individualized, evidence-based interventions to build students’ selfregulation, social skills, resilience, and academic engagement. Through strong collaboration with families and school teams, PAWS staff support students in developing perseverance, strengthening wellness, and achieving meaningful academic and social success, with the ultimate goal of helping students grow and transition successfully within their school communities.

Statement of Duties:

• Assist in the instruction and supervision of students, supporting students academically, socially, and behaviorally in the inclusion, small group, individual, or sub separate setting with direction from the classroom teacher and/or special education teacher, service provider or administrator.
• Support students with special needs by following provisions specified in their IEPs/504 Plans.
• Assist students with test taking in administering standardized and non-standardized tests/curriculum based measures and other assessments.
• Provide support that may include physical management such as crisis management or taking action or assisting educators, school crisis team and/or administrators in restraining students who are at risk of harming themselves or others by following school/district approved restraint procedures to ensure safety of student and others (training provided).
• Attend training and maintain certification in de-escalation and physical management techniques.
• Collect data for individual students and report concerns and/or progress information on students.
• Escort and supervise students to and from various school facilities and areas.
• Take initiative to work collaboratively with special education, general education, English learner or subject area education teachers and related service staff.
• Assist in establishing a positive learning environment and respond to the individual needs of students.
• Assist students with common daily tasks such as eating, mobility, communication, dressing and toileting, including diapering.
• Lifts and carries certain learners who need support.
• Promote independence for students with disabilities.
• Safeguard confidential information to ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
• Responsible for other general duties as indicated by the teacher, principal, supervisors/directors, directives of the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee, and policies of the Marlborough School Committee.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of an Associate's Degree, pass the Para-Pro test or completion of 48 undergraduate credits from an accredited college or university.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish and/or Portuguese) and bilingual (Spanish and/or Portuguese) required for EL Paras.
• Prefer prior experience with children in a school or similar setting.
• Must be a Team Player as a respectful part of a team in demonstrating constructive, collaborative behaviors.
• Able to lift twenty-five (25) pounds occasionally and transfer heavier amounts with assistance from other staff and/or student transfer apparatus.
• Good physical agility which requires the following: frequent bending, sitting, standing, kneeling and lifting and occasional running.
• Able to work in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of student learners.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent of Schools may find appropriate and acceptable.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Marlborough Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, color, homelessness, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its education programs, services, activities, or employment practices.