Paraprofessional - Propel Homestead

Paraprofessional Location - Propel Homestead We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Paraprofessional to join our staff. The Paraprofessional plays an important role in providing scholars with the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support they need to access and participate in their educational program. Paraprofessionals support scholars in large and small groups and may provide individualized or 1:1 academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and/or functional support based on individual scholar needs and school assignments. Paraprofessionals may be assigned to provide 1:1 support for a specific scholar for part or all of the school day and may support scholars inside the regular classroom, in specialized settings, during transitions, and/or through pull-out support as directed by certified staff or school leadership. Paraprofessionals work under the direction of certified teachers and/or other designated school staff to reinforce instruction, implement supports, collect and report student data, support classroom and school-wide expectations, and promote scholar independence and participation. Key Job Elements Provide instructional support through small-group, one-on-one, and/or assigned 1:1 support under the direction of a certified teacher or special education teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing instructional activities. Provide individualized 1:1 support to assigned scholars as needed, which may include academic, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, organizational, functional, and/or transition support. Remain with and support an assigned scholar across school settings and activities as appropriate, including classrooms, specials, lunch, recess, arrival/dismissal, transitions, field trips, and other school-related activities. Assist in the implementation and monitoring of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, behavior support plans, and other student support plans under the direction of certified staff. Implement accommodations, supplementary aids, services, and specially designed instructional supports as directed by certified staff and in accordance with scholar plans. Support certified teachers with data collection for the purpose of documenting student progress, behavioral patterns, participation, and/or implementation of identified supports. Accurately document and communicate relevant student information and data to the appropriate teacher or supervisor. Provide support for individual scholars inside and outside of the classroom to enable them to fully participate in instructional and school activities. Support scholars in developing independence, self-advocacy, appropriate social skills, organization, and school-appropriate behaviors. Assist with classroom and individual scholar behavior support for the purpose of maintaining a safe, positive, and productive learning environment. Follow established school procedures and staff direction when responding to behavioral, safety, or other student needs. Reinforce academic, behavioral, attendance, and school-wide expectations consistently and positively. Assist teachers with preparing instructional and curriculum materials, organizing learning environments, and other tasks that support instruction. Perform non-instructional duties, directed by a certified professional or other supervisor, such as monitoring study halls, cafeteria, playgrounds, homeroom, arrival/dismissal, and other non-academic or non-instructional areas. Assist scholars with daily personal tasks when deemed age- and/or developmentally appropriate, including tying shoes, assisting with coats, escorting to buses, and other routine needs. Provide appropriate physical and/or mobility support to scholars when assigned and trained to do so, consistent with school procedures and the scholar's individual needs. Participate in parent/family involvement activities as directed by school leadership or certified staff. Maintain confidentiality of scholar information and comply with all applicable school, state, and federal requirements regarding student records and privacy. Communicate professionally and effectively with teachers, administrators, related service providers, families, and other school staff as appropriate. Participate in required meetings, professional development, training, and other school activities. Perform other duties and responsibilities related to scholar support as assigned by the Building Principal or other designated supervisor. Qualifications & Skills Required: An Associate Degree or at least 48 college credits. Education-related field of study or relevant work experience. Ability to work collaboratively in a non-traditional, urban education environment. A positive, high-energy attitude. Demonstrable ability to build positive relationships with scholars. High level of personal organization and planning. Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with scholars and sensitive information. Ability to follow directions and implement instructional, behavioral, and student support strategies consistently. Ability to work effectively with scholars with a variety of academic, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, and/or functional needs. Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development and required training. A commitment to the Promising Principles of Propel. Preferred: Bachelor's Degree. Experience working with children or adolescents in an educational, behavioral, or youth-serving setting. Experience providing individualized or 1:1 student support. Experience working with scholars receiving special education services. Physical Demands: Must be able to walk around the classroom and/or school environment at least 75% of the time while engaging with scholars. The person in this position constantly operates a computer and other technology in the classroom to support instruction and student learning. The person in this position frequently communicates with various internal and external stakeholders regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment, and scholar needs. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Must be able to move throughout the school building and supervise/support scholars in a variety of settings. When deemed age- and/or developmentally appropriate, assist scholars with daily personal tasks, including tying shoes, assisting with coats, escorting to buses, and other routine needs. When assigned and appropriately trained, may be required to provide physical assistance to scholars consistent with their individual needs and school procedures. May be required to respond to student behavioral or safety needs in accordance with training, school procedures, and the direction of appropriate school personnel. Compensation and Benefits Compensation : Propel provides a competitive salary for paraprofessionals. Based on relevant prior work experience, our salary range for this role is $28,000 - $32,000 . Relocation Allowance : A relocation allowance for new hires moving to the area from 60 miles away or further. Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options at a low cost for individual employees and families. Retirement: New hires participate in a 403(b); Propel contributes 5% automatically and matches up to 4%. This increases after 5 years. Paid Leave: In addition to 2 paid Wellness days annually, all Specialists receive 5 sick days and 9 Personal Days. Tuition Assistance: Reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually upon completion of course and receipt of grades for coursework that meets our eligibility requirements. Wellness Benefit: Reimbursement of $20 per month for wellness activities including Gym Memberships, health programs, etc. Additionally, staff have the ability to earn up to $300 for participation in a Wellness Program each year. Professional Development: At Propel, we believe in supporting staff growth and provide substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support for specialists, including 8 Professional Development days annually. Leadership & Career Development: Leadership opportunities are extensive at Propel, both in and outside of the classroom. If you are interested in receiving your teacher certification, we have two available pathways through our in-house Teacher Residency Program. For candidates without a bachelor’s degree, we offer support to attain your degree and receive a teacher certification. For candidates with a bachelor’s degree, we have an in-house residency program to complete qualifications for teacher certification. Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Organizational Overview: Propel Schools is the largest network of public charter schools in Allegheny County, consisting of 13 schools and approximately 4,000 scholars. Our mission is to provide high-quality schools to underserved communities. Each of our schools provides a rigorous academic environment and small class sizes where educators focus on providing each scholar with support and individualized attention. With one of the top starting teacher salaries in Allegheny County, a customizable benefits package, and extraordinary career and professional development opportunities, Propel Schools is one of the area’s premier education organizations.