Anticipated Special Education Intensive Instructional Paraprofessional, Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, Salem Public Schools, Salem, MA [SY 2025-2026]
About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.
Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students in 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. We invite you to learn more about our strategic plan and core priorities on our website at https://salemk12.org/.
What You’ll Do:
Paraprofessionals assist teachers and/or other service providers in providing an innovative, high quality education program designed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities in the Salem Public Schools. Paraprofessionals work with school staff to create an educational environment in which quality, social connections and continuity are key factors. In addition to sound reasoning and good organizational skills, paraprofessionals are expected to contribute to a positive school culture and climate. Paraprofessionals are district-wide employees and subject to the negotiated Paraprofessional Contract, as well as the rules and regulations of Salem Public Schools
The position will include personal care, lifting, feeding, academic support, behavioral interventions and the use of technology. The right person for this position is eager to work in a substantially separate program within our elementary school setting. The intensive paraprofessional must be dependable, organized, flexible and willing to learn through hands-on experience, professional reading/training and through consultation and observation with clinicians and specialists.
Role Responsibilities:
What You’ll Bring:
We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:
The selected candidate must have the skills, abilities and aptitude to meet all unique needs of their assigned students.
Job requirements:
The Paraprofessional reports to the building Principal, Special Education Supervisor, students’ assigned classroom teacher(s) and Executive Director of Special Education.
This is a full-time, school-year position (185 days/year).
Work Year: Salem Public Schools Paraprofessionals work a 185-day school year (180 student contact days plus 5 professional development days). Please visit www.salemk12.org to view the 2025-26 district and/or school calendar.
Compensation: Compensation is determined by the Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel (PSRP) collective bargaining agreement.
Benefits: The City of Salem offers all full-time employees Group Insurance Commission (GIC) benefits. Click here for more information about our health benefits.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.