FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Hemenway Elementary School

TITLE:

Special Education Assistant Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY:

To assist student(s) with special needs under the direction of a certified teacher by generally working in an inclusionary setting (i.e. least restrictive environment); more specifically, to assist the teacher in general daily classroom activities, help special needs students, and care for their physical, emotional health and safety while affirming their abilities and striving to promote dignity in all relationships in order to deliver Framingham Public Schools’ high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the opportunity gap among subgroups within the schools.  

OUR MISSION:

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education, we aim to create and empower free thinking, responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thoughts, learners, culture, and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active, participatory, equitable community.

Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish the baseline; as a district, Framingham Public Schools are committed to achieving, developing and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.  

Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as BIPOC.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Associate (or higher) degree or at least two years of post-secondary education.

Additional specialized training in child development, education, or a related field is desirable.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Some experience working with children, especially special education students and/or children with Autism, PDD, or other neurological disorders is a plus.

Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education. Also, we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field.

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to read and comprehend documents such as memos, safety rules, and procedure manuals; to express ideas clearly in written and oral communication; to work as a team member; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, and the community; to embrace a proactive and solution-focused approach to meeting student needs; to work with students of diverse backgrounds with diverse needs in an equitable and inclusive manner, and to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and School Committee policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration 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 work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

• Assists the teacher with instructions direct and/or indirect.
• Assist the teacher in the selection and utilization of educational materials and general supplies.
• Assist the teacher in administering achievement and/or diagnostic testing.
• Assist the teacher in the implementation of behavior modification programs.
• Assist the teacher with general classroom maintenance
• Assist the teacher in the supervision of students involved in school activities.
• Assist the teacher in preparing for the day’s activities before school, and after school, planning for the following day.
• Assume the responsibility of the classroom teacher in his/her absence.
• Participated in staff development programs required by the Building Principal.
• While the immediate position may not require toileting/lifting, shifting of positions may be required based on need and may, as a result, require toileting/lifting.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about to provide services and may be required to occasionally traverse throughout the school building. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will have essential duties requiring him/her to work in a classroom with the ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, bend or twist at the neck and trunk. The employee must frequently use hands and/or fingers to handle and/or feel objects and/or tools. Workday may include providing limited personal care to students. The employee must also occasionally lift or position students to provide services. The employee occasionally operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer). The employee must be able to read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via email, and on the telephone. The employee may be exposed to volatile and assaultive behavior. In the classroom, the employee must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as speak frequently to assist with providing instruction. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is expected to lift at least 20 lbs (i.e. books, school supplies, etc.) and may be asked to operate machinery, tools, or equipment with prior training. The employee should be able to stand, walk, and/or push a wheelchair for extended periods of time as well as provide assistance and personal care to students. The employee may be asked to assist with toileting, depending on a student's needs. The employee may be transferred to a different school depending on students' needs and fit in the best interest of children.

The employee will be working in a normal school environment with an acceptable level of noise. The employee interacts with students, parents, and other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people. While the majority of the workday is spent inside, the employee must spend time outdoors for recess, fire drills, and special activities.  May be exposed to bodily fluids, disease, or pathogens. May receive unintentional injuries from aggressive students. 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

REPORTS TO:  

Building Principal and Special Education Team Evaluator Coordinator. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Covered under Framingham School Committee Policy. The Framingham Public Schools reserves the right to shorten or lengthen the assignment time based upon the needs of the District. 

HELPFUL LINKS:

Framingham Policies & Procedures Handbook 

Only online applications will be accepted. Click here to apply!  

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment. opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

The Framingham Public Schools prohibit sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates.  Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator.  The notice of nondiscrimination is located at the Framingham Public Schools School Committee website.

Rev. 2024