PIONEER VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS·South Hadley, Massachusetts
The paraprofessional will provide direct academic and social-emotional support to students in grades 7-12, ensuring the implementation of IEPs and 504 plans. They will also assist teachers with classroom management, restorative projects, and behavioral data documentation.
Paraprofessional: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, 7-12, Public Charter School located in South Hadley, MA
PVPA has an opportunity for a Paraprofessional for the 2026-2027 school year. We are looking for a reflective practitioner who collaborates effectively with colleagues and understands the varied needs of high school & middle school students. The ideal candidate will be a reflective practitioner who is interested in integrating the arts into the curriculum, teaching with a social justice lens, collaborating with students and colleagues, and has experience in implementing restorative practices in the classroom. Under the direction of the Director of Student Services and/or the Dean of Students, you will be responsible for:
1.
Providing direct bell-to-bell support in Art and Academic classes, including 1.
Prioritizing support for students with IEPs and 504s as needed 2.
Supporting all students’ sense of belonging, engagement, and social-emotional growth and awareness in the classroom setting 2.
Supporting students within a general education environment to ensure full implementation of Individual Education Plans 3.
Maintaining a structured and safe learning environment 4.
Tailoring support to students’ individual learning styles and needs 5.
Supporting students to organize their work, providing them with appropriate resources and materials 6.
Supporting students to become self-advocates and take responsibility for their academic performance 7.
Assisting classroom teachers with classroom management 8.
Collecting information from teachers regarding students’ performance in the classroom and convey that information to academic support staff 9.
Modeling appropriate and responsible behavior 10.
Maintaining records of behavioral data as needed 11.
Supervising students during bus pick-up and drop-off 12.
Providing social-emotional and behavioral support 13.
Facilitating restorative projects while in and out of the classroom 14.
Supporting students to de-escalate 15.
Supporting conflict resolution between students 16.
Supporting students to re-enter routines after de-escalation 17.
Documenting student interactions using school-wide data tracking systems 18.
Supervising students during Restorative interventions 19.
Other duties as required
Qualifications;
The Successful candidate will minimally hold a High School Diploma, BA degree is preferred, be able to pass a
background check (CORI/SORI & Fingerprinting), be able to provide evidence of successful prior experience
working with students in grades 7 through 12, and be computer literate.
$18.94 to $20.00 dependent upon degree and experience. Potential for bonus at the end of the fiscal year based on language in collectively bargained agreement. 2026-2027 school year consists of 180 school days plus 5 professional development/curriculum work days and a thirty-seven and one half hour work week.
To apply, please visit the PVPA Career Center at www.pvpa.org [http://www.pvpa.org] and be prepared to provide:
1. A current resume 2. Letter of interest/Introduction 3. Contact information for three references 4. Transcripts indicating degrees awarded 5. Evidence of licensure or any endorsement if applicable
Candidates must hold at least a high school diploma, with a bachelor's degree preferred. Applicants must be computer literate and able to pass a background check, including CORI/SORI and fingerprinting.
Market context
Teaching assistant roles in Massachusetts are often tied to steady school and early childhood staffing needs, especially where programs need support with classroom routines and student supervision. These positions can be competitive because employers may look for a CDA, an associate degree, or 60 college credits, along with strong communication skills and the physical ability to stay active with children. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm whether your credentials and lifting expectations match the posting before applying.