Horizons - Classroom Paraprofessional

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Position Summary

Assist grade-level teaching team by actively participating in academic activities. 

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Assistant teacher in a class of approximately 18-22 students
• Support the lead teacher in implementing math and small group reading instruction
• Collaborate with the ELA teacher, Math teacher, and SEL instructors to implement academics, recreation, and systemically embed SEL
• Facilitate and sustain an emotionally safe and trauma-informed classroom and program environment
• Maintain professional boundaries and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners with the foundation of open communication, respect, and collaboration
• Work in collaboration with a team consisting of a lead teacher, classroom coach, and volunteer
• Attend all training, professional learning, onboarding, programming, and community events
• Collect and input all required metrics, data, and surveys by assigned dates
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• A minimum of 2-4 years working in K-8 classrooms is preferred.
• Experience differentiating curriculum to meet the needs of all learners.
• Experience with and commitment to social-emotional learning.
• Strong commitment to the HSHU mission.
• Effective oral and communication skills.
• Experience using technology to enhance instruction.
• Skills needed to mentor and coach classroom staff.

Unusual Working Conditions

This is a seasonal summer program position.

This is a half-day position.

Dates of Program:

• Training week: 6/23 through 6/27/25

• Program Days: 6/30 through 8/8/25; two required evening events 8/6/25 & 8/8/25
• Clean-up & Reporting Days: 8/11 & 8/12/25
• Pre-Training Onboarding – Date TBD

Trainings generally run 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Program days are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.