SY26-27 Teaching Assistant/Paraprofessional ( Empower Program - CNA/PCA experience encouraged)

Join us! Going strong since 1974, CASE is an educational collaborative agency made up of 11 regional and municipal districts affording member and non-member school districts the opportunity to augment local services by planning, developing and implementing programs for students with special needs. POSITION: The Teaching Assistant position is a 10 month position, 182 days (180 student days; 2 professional development days). JOB LOCATION: CASE Collaborative is hiring for positions located in the greater Boston area, in towns such as Acton, Bedford, Littleton, Lincoln and Maynard. Please note that the location of this position may change due to the needs of the students. JOB PROGRAM: The Empower program is a specialized program for students with Autism and other developmental disabilities, including those with language processing and production challenges, problems with sensory regulation and social communication. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with a close team of professionals and to expand your skills in Applied Behavior Analysis. Training and support are provided to individuals in this position. JOB GOAL: To work closely with students with disabilities in an effort to provide them with physical, instructional, and emotional support needed for progress toward IEP goals; to assist the special and regular education staff in implementing IEP goals. Job duties vary due to the diverse nature of the students. PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: (Under the direction and supervision of licensed educators who design instruction)

• Provide academic support and direct instruction to students in one-to-one and small groups (may include preview, reinforcement, review, individualized curriculum) to meet IEP goals/objectives.
• Assist teacher to implement appropriate curriculum, lessons, alternate assessments and modifications for children with special needs.
• Provide supervision of the classrooms during times in which the special educator is required to be elsewhere in the building.
• Implement appropriate behavior management techniques and/or behavior support plans during individual and small group instruction and when supporting students in general education settings.
• Attend planning meetings, in-service workshops/trainings, team meetings, and parent-teacher conferences, when requested by the Program Administrator.
• Adapt curriculum materials to meet individual student needs and IEP goals/objectives.
• Monitor and facilitate student participation in CASE classroom, general education classroom activities, and peer interactions.
• Consult with the classroom teacher/s, special educators and therapists around designated students, on a regular basis, to discuss student progress and to support and carry over classroom and therapy goals and strategies.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of current IEPs of assigned student/s.
• Maintain and use adaptive equipment and materials.
• Supervise students with disabilities outside of regular class times, including but not limited to the transition from and to transportation and school, lunch, recess, field trips, assemblies, emergency drills, and hallway passing.
• Given training by a Registered Nurse and/or training videos, the teaching assistant will use an EpiPen and/or Vagal Nerve Stimulator with the student for whom they were prescribed.
• Communicate with parents, if so instructed by the supervising teacher, in the manner determined by the CASE Teacher/Team.
• Provide students with disabilities necessary supports, while fostering and facilitating increasing independence.
• Assume assigned duties in another classroom if requested by the Program Administrator.
• Maintain the high level of confidentiality and professionalism expected of the teaching staff.
• Occasional transport of student(s) in Collaborative van.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Administrator.

EVALUATION: Performance evaluation conducted biannually by the classroom Special Educator/s with input from the Program Administrator. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: - Ability to: use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls, see (including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus), hear and speak; e.g., computer, calculator, telephone. - Requires good physical condition in order to support lifting, positioning, and transitioning students, as needed, according to caseload/classroom assignment. - Demands of lifting may be up to 50 pounds. - Requires good physical condition in order to implement physical interventions, escorts and restraints, according to the collaborative’s policies, protocols and special education regulations with students, as needed, and according to caseload/classroom assignment. BENEFITS INCLUDE (depending upon position within contract): - Compensation competitive with public school employee sector - Unit B Contract with salary chart can be found on CASE web site here: UnitB - Participation in a MA state pension system (MSRB) - Voluntary benefits: health insurance is available on day one; dental, life and long-term disability insurances are available on the first of the month following your hiring (eligible employees must work 20+ hours a week) - CASE covers 65% health insurance premiums and 50% cost of basic life insurance - 11-12 holidays, 13 sick days, 3 personal days, 2 religious holidays, and 5 bereavement days (eligible to employees working 25+ hours a week) - Participation in 457 and 403(b) Retirement Plans - Eligible employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness