What are the responsibilities and job description for the Horizons - Classroom Paraprofessional position at Sacred Heart University?
About Sacred Heart University
As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
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To apply
Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.
Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.
Position Summary
Assist grade-level teaching team by actively participating in academic activities.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
- Assistant teacher in a class of approximately 18-22 students
- Support the lead teacher in implementing math and small group reading instruction
- Collaborate with the ELA teacher, Math teacher, and SEL instructors to implement academics, recreation, and systemically embed SEL
- Facilitate and sustain an emotionally safe and trauma-informed classroom and program environment
- Maintain professional boundaries and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners with the foundation of open communication, respect, and collaboration
- Work in collaboration with a team consisting of a lead teacher, classroom coach, and volunteer
- Attend all training, professional learning, onboarding, programming, and community events
- Collect and input all required metrics, data, and surveys by assigned dates
- Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes
- A minimum of 2-4 years working in K-8 classrooms is preferred.
- Experience differentiating curriculum to meet the needs of all learners.
- Experience with and commitment to social-emotional learning.
- Strong commitment to the Horizons SHU mission.
- Effective oral and communication skills.
- Experience using technology to enhance instruction.
- Skills needed to mentor and coach classroom staff.
Unusual Working Conditions
This is a seasonal summer program position. Staff are required to attend all training, professional learning, onboarding, programming, community events, and clean-up/reporting days.
This is a full-day position.
- Training Days generally run 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
- Program days are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dates of Program:
- Training week: 6/22 through 6/26/26
- Program Days: 6/29 through 8/7/26
- Clean-up & Reporting Days: 8/10 & 8/11/26
This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.