Paraprofessional (Special Education Prek)

Position Type:

Paraprofessional Job Families

Date Posted:

2026-10-22

Location:Luis Munoz Marin

ABOUT CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is Ohio's third-largest public school system, serving more than 35,000 students.

 CMSD strives to ensure that every child receives a high-quality education, regardless of the provider. To that end, CMSD lets families choose which District schools their children attend, with options that include STEM, the arts, single-gender education, International Baccalaureate, Montessori, and early college.

 Our schools have autonomy over human and financial resources in exchange for accountability for performance. The principal has primary responsibility and accountability for establishing their school as a high-quality, high-expectation academic center focusing on personalized instruction, professional support for teachers, and school-wide practices that lead to measurable results.

 CMSD ensures that students have access to technology and training to prepare them for the future. The District provides a free laptop or tablet for every student and connects every family that needs internet access. Graduating seniors leave commencement with not only a diploma but also a laptop.

 In our pursuit of a more fair, just, and good system of education, we strive to ensure that all of  our learners, both scholars and educators, to be challenged with academically and intellectually complex tasks that are worthy of their efforts and provide them opportunities to demonstrate their best work.

BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES

The Cleveland Board of Education adopted the Building Brighter Futures (BBF) initiative on December 9, 2025. Building Brighter Futures is a strategic and data-driven plan shaped by more than a year of community engagement, information analysis, and thoughtful deliberation. The goal of this plan is to strengthen enrollment and ensure scholars attend a newer school building that offers more educational opportunities, including algebra in the eighth grade, more sports and extracurricular activities, and college credits and college and career pathways in high school. BBF is ensuring academic excellence so every CMSD scholar can thrive.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

 

Provides assistance with handling the unique needs of disabled and handicapped Special Education students. Areas of involvement may include providing considerable physical support and control of students as well as assisting with instruction in speech, hearing, sight, etc. Paraprofessionals are not expected to perform duties in student homes or other non-CMSD locations.

Responsibilities

(Paraprofessionals are not expected to perform duties in student homes or other non-CMSD locations.)

• Becomes familiar with District initiatives including but not limited to The Cleveland Plan, Academic Achievement Plans, etc.
• Adapts to the individual social emotional and academic needs of the students
• Respects and disciplines students through preventative, proactive, dignified classroom management techniques that reflect structure, equity, and consistency
• Understands, believes and can articulate how and why Special Education is a service and not a destination
• Reinforces students as directed by the teacher in areas which might include academic tasks, social skills or other instructional components of the program
• Assists the teacher in the implementation of behavior management programs
• Provides information to teacher regarding student performance during these activities
• Identifies, locates and uses materials appropriate for each student
• Assists and monitors the students in special training activities, such as showering, and other self-help skills
• Observes students as directed by the teacher and records specific behaviors exhibited as outlined on each student's IEP
• Records academic and social progress as required by the teacher
• Assists the teacher in preparing, collecting and adapting materials
• Collects and uses equipment under the direction of the teacher
• Maintains materials and equipment in good condition
• Assists teacher with physical intervention of behavior problems
• Performs other routine duties as assigned by principal
• Participates as a member of a team

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; related college education courses preferred
• Paraprofessionals must meet one of the following to be Highly Qualified: Associates Degree or a minimum of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours or successfully passing the Para Pro Assessment
• Possess or be eligible for an Ohio Educational Aide Permit required
• High moral character
• Genuine interest in children/youth
• Desire to serve the school and community
• Evidence of good health, vitality and enthusiasm
• Ability to physically manage handicapped students
• Effective written and oral communication
• Experience working with handicapped students preferred
• State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) Certification preferred
• Valid Ohio Educational Aide Permit
• Must meet one of the following requirements to be considered highly qualified:
• Completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education, which is defined as 48 semester or 72 quarter hours
• Obtained an Associates (or higher) Degree
• Successfully passed a formal State or local academic assessment, specifically, the Parapro Assessment or the Para Educator network

Education

To Apply

EEO Statement

We believe that equity and inclusion at CMSD is an essential call to action, a catalyst to ensure value and appreciation among all our employees, so we may be fair and welcoming now and in the future.  CMSD provides equal opportunities for employment, retention and advancement of all personnel by administering all terms and conditions of employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, sex, disability or genetic information, age, citizenship status, military status, sexual orientation or expression, socio-economic status, title, other dimensions of identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.