Job Description

About Us

The Joseph Sams School is a private school dedicated exclusively to educating children and young adults with special needs. Our supportive, mission-driven environment prioritizes individualized learning, communication development, and preparing students for life beyond the classroom. We recently expanded our services to include The Hive , a day program for adults with disabilities age 22+—a testament to our long-term commitment to our students and their families.

Position Overview

We are seeking caring, patient, and dependable paraprofessionals to join our collaborative team. Paraprofessionals support students with a range of developmental and learning differences by assisting with instruction, behavior support, and daily routines in both classroom and community settings.

POSITION OBJECTIVE: To serve as a paraprofessional in a special education classroom administering teacher and/or therapist’s developed lessons to students with special needs in both individual and small group settings. Data collection, documenting student progress, and other classroom clerical and/or organizational tasks are required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Carry out teacher-developed lesson plans.
• Carry out teacher-developed Individualized Educational Programs in certain areas of the curriculum.
• Keep accurate daily data for individual lessons.
• Carry out teacher-developed behavior management plans.
• Assist in selecting, making, and organizing materials.
• Keep teaching areas neat and organized.
• Attend appropriate training sessions, workshops, and conferences whenever appropriate.
• Be familiar with and carry out responsibilities and duties as indicated in The Joseph Sams School Staff Handbook.
• Attend monthly general staff meetings and program-level meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Instructional Support Teacher or Principal.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The ability to carry out lessons developed by the special education teacher and/or therapist is required. The ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision is essential. Good communication skills, both written and verbal, are also required. Attention to detail and the ability to keep and monitor student progress through data collection are essential.

Special education paraprofessionals must have the emotional maturity to work with students who have special needs. Patience, dependability, organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to multi-task are critical attributes. Basic English and math skills are essential to assist students with assignments. Special education paraprofessionals must maintain confidentiality around information about students at all times. The ability to circulate among people of various backgrounds and roles is essential, as this position will regularly interface with administrators, teachers, fellow paraprofessionals, students, and parents.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A high school degree, or the equivalent, is required; some college is preferred. Experience working with children with disabilities and working is also preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

A paraprofessional will teach and administer lessons developed by an IST (Instructional Support Teacher) in a variety of locations both inside and outside of the school environment, including the classroom, lunchroom, playground, PE/gross motor room, etc., as well as in community venues such as grocery stores, local businesses, and public facilities such as libraries, parks, etc. May be required to assist in transferring and lifting students and able to lift at least 50 pounds. Other physical demands may include crouching, stooping, kneeling, bending, carrying, pushing, and pulling.

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