Substitute Paraprofessional - PCIA (Planning Center Instructional Aide)

Position Type: Substitute Job Families Date Posted: 2026-01-05 Location: Administration or As Assigned INTRODUCTION: CONTEXT AND MISSION The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) serves approximately 37,000 students in 100+ schools. Over the past several years, the Greater Cleveland community has united behind the collective goal of ensuring every child in Cleveland attends a high-quality school and every neighborhood has a multitude of great schools from which families can choose. The Cleveland Plan defines CMSD’s approach to the reinvention of public education and holds our community accountable for the success of Cleveland’s schoolchildren. The Cleveland Plan is supported by Ohio House Bill 525, which provides much-needed flexibility and autonomy for the district and its schools. Our schools have autonomy over human and financial resources in exchange for accountability for performance. The principal has primary responsibility and accountability for establishing his or her school as a high-quality, high-expectations academic center with a focus on personalized instruction, professional support for teachers, and school-wide practices that lead to measurable results. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has developed standards of excellence that the district applies to all parts of the organization inclusive of schools, principals, school leadership teams, networks, and central office. Alignment between Standards of Excellence (SoE) and the district’s Theory of Action helps ensure that principals are able to focus on scholar achievement and that central office supports are timely and effective. Our Vision for Learning in a Post-Pandemic World: In our pursuit of a more fair, just, and good system of education, we want each of our learners, both each of our scholars and each of their educators, to be individually and collectively presented with academically / intellectually complex tasks that are worthy of their productive struggle and allow them authentic opportunities to demonstrate their work and their learning of academic content and transferable skills in a joyful and adventurous environment. THE OPPORTUNITY: The Planning Center Instructional Aide (Para PCIA) is an important part of maintaining school discipline. The Planning Center program keeps students in school and on task while being removed from his/her regular placement and provides support and intervention for students, teachers and families. In addition to accurate record keeping, the Para PCIA will utilize intervention techniques to positively impact student behavior. Responsibilities Performs work as required or assigned by the building principal or a designee as related to the Planning Center program and Right of Removal (ROR) 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 Coordinates class work and homework assignments for students Keeps files of completed student assignments Keeps accurate records and documents Returns assignments to classroom teacher(s) Assists students in returning to their regular instructional program Discusses behavior modifications that would alter the students behaviors in a positive manner Uses effective classroom management techniques Provides tutoring for all subject matters Reports students attendance to the appropriate secretary Maintains students daily attendance and behavior logs of students assigned to in-school suspension Participates in the Planning Center professional development for the Para PCIAs Qualifications High ethical standards Prior experience working with students in an in-school suspension classroom preferred A minimum of two years successful experience working with children and adolescents Positive attitude, and enthusiastic experience working with various ages of students in the ATSP Self-motivated and ability to work with minimum supervision Good oral and written communication skills Desire to serve the school and community Familiarity with computers to create documents, with using district e-mail, and completing forms Paraprofessionals must meet one of the following to be qualified: Associates Degree or a minimum of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours or successfully passing the Para Pro Assessment Prior experience working with students in an in-school suspension classroom preferred A minimum of two years successful experience working with children and adolescents Familiarity with computers to create documents, with using district e-mail, and completing forms Current CMSD paraprofessional preferred Received or eligible to receive a valid Ohio Educational Aide Permit Successfully passed a formal State or local academic assessment, specifically, the Parapro Assessment or the Para Educator network Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Walking, Sitting or standing for extended periods of time Ability to quickly trail any student that elopes Moderate lifting from 15-35 pounds Moving of various items like wheelchairs or other mechanical devices – up to 30 pounds Manual dexterity to use for items like classroom and building equipment and supplies B ending, kneeling , twisting or stooping and other movements as required to ensure safety of scholars Ability to write legibly Vision (Near, Color, Depth Perception) Sense of Sound (Ability to hear fire alarms, bells, and PA system) Sense of Touch Ability to speak clearly and distinctly Able to work near students and other staff Work Environment Work is performed in all areas inside and outside of district buildings, including within the school building, on school grounds, school vehicles an d transportation , and/or any area in which a district activity or function is taking place Work is not performed in student homes Exposed to inside and outside environmental conditions like varying degrees of temperature and unpredictable noise Emotional Environment The ability to work with students and adults displaying a variety of emotions including, but not limited to, joy, happiness, sorrow, fear, anger and aggression in controlled, uncontrolled and unpredictable situations. Reasonable Accommodations Statement To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function outlined above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Education To Apply Please submit your resume and application using Workday, our online human capital management system. Please note that an offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of an FBI/BCI background check and drug screen. 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. The District’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, and Sexual Harassment and the District’s Title IX grievance procedures, including information on how to report or file a complaint of discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the District will respond, may be accessed on the District’s Civil Rights Notices webpage, available at . The District’s Title IX Coordinator / Director of Equal Employment Opportunity may be reached at: 1111 Superior Avenue East, Suite 1800 Cleveland, Ohio 44114 (216)-838-0070