JOB TITLE: Special Education Extended School Year (ESY) Therapy Assistants
REPORTS TO: ESY Site Administrator
LOCATION: Worcester Public Schools, Worcester, Massachusetts
ANTICIPATED SPECIFIC PROGRAMS/LOCATIONS: Elementary Life Skills (pre K - 6) at Roosevelt (Developmental delay, cognitive, physical, medical, Visual Impairment) Elementary STEP/ACT (K - 6) at Roosevelt (Emotional/Behavioral) Elementary SAIL (Pre K-2) at Norrback (Autism Spectrum) Elementary SAIL (3-6) at Norrback (Autism Spectrum) Elementary Young Voices (pre-K - 6) at Nelson Place (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) Elementary LAB (K-6) at Norrback Elementary Secondary Life Skills (7-12) at South High (Cognitive, physical, Autism Spectrum) Secondary SAIL (7-12) at South High (Autism Spectrum) Secondary STEP (7-12) at South High (Emotional/Behavioral) Secondary LAB (7-12) at South High Preschool Specialized Classrooms at Nelson Place location (Developmental delay, physical, medical, Autism Spectrum) Preschool Evaluations at Norrback (Developmental delay, physical, medical, Autism Spectrum) Learning Disabilities at Norrback Elementary (SLD) Transition Program (12 +) community-based location TBD
ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE: ESY Therapy Assistants are accountable for meeting the documented educational needs for ESY enrolled students, including personal and physical needs. Therapy Assistants will be assigned to specific programs and locations by the Office of Special Education.
The number and location of positions are contingent on funding and student enrollment and/or attendance.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for collaborating with special education staff to provide specially designed instruction in accordance with Students with Disabilities (SWD) IEPs, goals, and objectives. Responsible for providing specially designed instruction and targeted services for SWD based on IEPs that reflect ESY services to prevent substantial regression. Responsible for implementing a curriculum that promotes student engagement through various modes of learning that provides support in the areas of SEL, academics, language development, math, social skills, and motor skills. Collaborate on the progress reports with the Lead Therapist (SLPs, OT's, etc.). Responsible for providing itinerant and SEL services (SLP, ABA/Behavioral Intervention Plans, Counseling) as needed based on IEP goals and objectives. Responsible for the development of instructional materials for SWD who will need access via technology: Computer/Chromebooks/assistive/ Augmentative technology and/or work packets with special education staff to ensure access and FAPE for SWD. Responsible for assuring equal educational opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, marital status, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability. Performance of other job-related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Required to apply):
Current WPS employment as an SLPA or PTA Willingness and ability to assist students with personal and physical needs Experience working with students along the autism spectrum Experience working with students with behavioral disorders Continued WPS employment in the following school year
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Preference will be given to applicants with the following): Availability to work all program dates and times Current WPS employment in the specified ESY programs Ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Albanian, Portuguese, Arabic, or an African language
WORK YEAR: Session I: July 6th - July 16th (8) Days (Mon - Thu) Session II: July 27th - August 6th (8) Days (Mon - Thu) Additional hours of preparation time is required prior to the start of Session I.
WORK DAY: 7:45 am-12:15 pm
POSITION TYPE/SALARY: This is an internal Therapy Assistant additional position paid at the contractual hourly rates for hours worked. This position does not provide any type of benefit days/time such as sick, personal, or vacation.
For questions regarding the Special Education ESY Summer Programs, please contact Gina Creamer, Assistant Director of Special Education, at 508-890-3225.