Summary and Overview

In 2015, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Springfield Public Schools partnered to form the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP). SEZP is committed to ensuring that the nine middle schools in “The Zone” are engaging environments where teachers receive the supports they need to grow professionally, and students have the opportunity to acquire the academic and personal skills to succeed in the college or career of their choice.

Each SEZP school has the autonomy to craft and implement its own, unique vision for success and receives support from an ecosystem of national-caliber partners. Furthermore, Teacher Leadership Teams at each school ensure that teacher voice is heard and that there is strong communication between school administration and staff.

SEZP is seeking educators who are excited to work in a collaborative, engaging, diverse, and high energy environment. Great professional development, ample teacher leadership opportunities and competitive salary and benefits make SEZP a great place to be a teacher.

Teach

• Broaden your impact and become a part of rebuilding an urban school district where you’ll receive ongoing support to help you and your students reach your full potential.
• Serve a diverse population of urban high-need students.
• Teach in small autonomous learning communities - many SEZP schools are creating intimate, personalized environments for their students.

Grow

• Access to professional development resources through colleagues at your school and a network of SEZP partners.
• Teacher leadership opportunities – many SEZP schools are creating opportunities for effective and experienced teachers to take on leadership roles and increased levels of responsibility without having to leave the classroom.
• Receive a competitive salary and benefits.

About Rise Academy at Van Sickle 

Rise Academy is a boundary middle school in the Springfield Empowerment Zone serving grades 6-8 on the Van Sickle campus. Rise Academy uses an inclusive model to meet the needs of all students including English language learners and students with disabilities. By partnering with parents, supporting our teachers, and holding our students to high academic and behavioral expectations, we support accelerated growth for all of our students to prepare them for high school, college, and opportunities in life.

Duties:

Paraprofessionals provide assistance to teachers and other school personnel in the delivery of quality education and support services for students in an array of classroom settings. Examples of support services and educational settings include, but are not limited to: life skills, developmental classrooms, social, emotional, & behavioral support (SEBS), LINKS (Autism) program, visual or mobility orientation, language learning delays and medical care.

In addition, the Collective Bargaining Agreement contains language in Article V – Working Conditions – J. Diapering/Toileting indicating that paraprofessionals hired after ratification (April 16, 1998) are hired with Diapering/Toileting/Toilet Training services as part of their job requirement. Please read this Section of your contract carefully to insure that you clearly understand this condition of your employment as a paraprofessional. The Springfield Public Schools will be requiring you to sign a Statement of Agreement in this matter and will review this with you prior to you beginning your employment position.

This position is responsible for providing instructional assistance, classroom support, and implementation of effective classroom strategies and procedures under the direction of classroom teachers and/or other school personnel. A high level of professionalism and ethical behavior is expected consistent with the job duties and responsibilities of a paraprofessional.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED, and
• Associate of Arts or Science Degree or higher, or
• 60 undergraduate college credits, or
• Meeting or exceeding the State mandated score on the Paraprofessional Assessment or Work Keys Assessment

Preferred Qualifications:
• BA Degree with Educator Licensure
• Experience working with special education students in education settings

**A passing score on the Work Keys Exams in the following areas:

• Reading: 5
• Math: 4
• Writing: 3 

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. Springfield Public Schools is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 not to discrimination on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. The Senior Administrator of Human Resources, Kathleen O’Sullivan, Springfield Public Schools, 1550 Main St. Springfield MA, 011103, 413-787-7100, ext. 55428, has been designated as the employee responsible for coordinating Springfield Public Schools efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to Springfield Public Schools may be referred to Kathleen O’Sullivan or to U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202-1100, telephone 800-421-3481.