26-27 In-School Suspension Advisor Somerville High School

Position Summary

In-School Suspension is one part of a school-wide strategy that promotes and sustains a positive, nurturing school climate that is based upon respectful relationships between teachers and students, teachers and teachers, and students and students.

ISSP is an alternative form of discipline in which a student remains in school and maintains classroom assignments but is isolated from other school activities. It is a short term placement that allows students to continue with their academic learning without interruption and missing school work.

ISSP provides individual structure, support and supervision in a therapeutic, safe and engaging atmosphere. Students keep within their school routine and transition back into their classes easier and with less stress.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position

• Facilitate a positive, supervised, organized, constructive, safe and healthy learning environment
• Establish high expectations, clear rules and consequences for all students through the use of a student contract
• Encourage students to reflect on the misbehavior that led to the in-school suspension and determine ways to improve and/or resolve those conflicts and behaviors
• Assess for unidentified learning difficulties, social or emotional issues
• Be able to supervise students with varying abilities and needs and mediate conflicts with excellent human relations and communications skills, compassion and understanding
• Serve as a liaison and act as a resource between classroom teachers and students to coordinate the academic activities so that students continue to make progress on school work and provide oral and written feedback of observations and information
• Maintain cooperative and mutually supportive relationships and rapport with teachers, staff and administration
• Ensure that students have assigned work from their teachers including class work, homework, class assignments, tests, quizzes, projects as well as access to computers, books, supplies, materials, instruction and counselors
• Utilize resources such as in school and community volunteers and tutors
• Assist with the monitoring and following of IEPs while providing accommodations and differentiated learning experiences, support, materials and services for a range of skill levels and needs
• Provide a safe and protective space for students in crisis and those students in need beyond those assigned to ISSP for disciplinary reasons. This will include support for students with significant social/emotional needs and those students that may benefit from a temporary safe, calm, non-threatening environment
• Facilitate a restorative justice component to the program
  
  

Qualifications, Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Appropriate Department of Elementary and Secondary Educator's license in the field or subject for this position
• DESE SEI endorsement Required
• Bilingual Educator Preferred
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here 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 position’s essential functions.

• Mobility: Frequent walking, standing, and navigating stairs.
• Lifting/Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry objects ranging from 10 to 30 lbs (e.g., books, supplies, equipment).
• Physical Dexterity: Bending, crouching, kneeling, stooping, and reaching to assist students.
• Stationary Tasks: Remaining in a stationary position (sitting/standing) for long periods.
  
  

Reporting Relationships

• Position Reports to: The School Building Principal
  
  

Terms of Employment

• Position Type: Full Time
• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• Union Status: SEU, Unit A
• Salary and benefits are determined in accordance with the Somerville Educators Union, Unit A collective bargaining agreement and the policies of the Somerville School Committee.
  
  

Pre-Employment Requirements

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprints

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.