MISSION:
Gads Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources and community engagement.
At Gads Hill Center we envision a community in which all children benefit from healthy, financially stable households that support their early learning and growth. We invest in the potential of children and families through early childhood education, youth programs, and mental health supports. Ultimately, Gads Hill Center builds a community where all families can help their children have access to quality education in order to succeed in school and life.
JOB SUMMARY:
The primary role of the special education paraprofessional is to help children learn based on their individual abilities. The paraprofessional works in various classroom settings to assist education staff in daily classroom activities, helps special needs students, and cares for their physical and social emotional well-being. The successful candidate will be able to affirm the abilities of the students and promote dignity in all relationships.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports education staff to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in classrooms enrolled in early childhood programs.
- Collaborates with all managers to support all children enrolled in early childhood programming with IEPs and IFSPs.
- Under the direction of the Education and Disabilities Manager, assists with planning, development, and implementation of instructional, behavioral, and therapeutic activities.
- Participates as a member of staff teams addressing the education process of students with disabilities.
- Maintains a physical classroom environment that is conducive to the learning process.
- Makes effective use of instruction materials and demonstrate effective methods of instruction to ensure that the individual student performance levels, needs, and abilities are addressed.
- Attends required monthly trainings for the Para-Professional project as directed by the CPS/DFSS Disabilities Support Team.
- Demonstrates knowledge of DCFS, Head Start, Early Head Start and Preschool for All standards; implements them in all aspects of work.
- Understands and adheres to NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Code of Ethics.Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds (average childs weight).
In addition to the responsibilities listed above, all Gads Hill Center employees are responsible for the following:
- Participates in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
- Participates in supervision meetings and workshops within the agency and outside (if applicable).
- Participates in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of Gads Hill Center.
- Advances parent leadership development.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- High School diploma or GED with a minimum of 6 credit hours in early childhood education required.
- Valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or enrollment towards an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education strongly preferred.
- Six months previous direct early childhood classroom experience with low-income families preferred.
- Experience with multi-cultural programming preferred.
- Bi-lingual Spanish/English preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and organization skills.
- Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.
- A passion for the mission of Gads Hill Center.
BENEFITS:
- Competitive Salaries
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 403B Plan (Up to 5% match following 2 years of employment)
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employer Paid Short Term/Long Term Disability
- Employer Paid Life Insurance
- Supplemental Coverage Options Available
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule: