What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paraprofessional/1:1 Aide position at Excel Academy Charter Schools?
Organizational Overview
Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality, free, and public education to students in East Boston and Chelsea Massachusetts, communities that are predominantly low-income and Latinx and historically have faced significant social and educational barriers. Our success in Massachusetts is proof that the opportunity gap can be closed and we opened a new school in Rhode Island in 2022. At Excel Academy Charter Schools, we believe that when a student has the support and tools to pursue a productive post-secondary pathway aligned to their personal identity and values, it can fundamentally change their life trajectory.
At Excel Academy we learn from our students, families, and staff and make improvements. We have increasingly adapted to provide a holistic education that values our community as collaborators in the learning process, social-emotional support, equity for diverse learners, and fosters identity development. We prioritize an approach that is both rigorous and inclusive. Our team of passionate, intelligent, driven, and loving staff are at the core of the work we do.
Growth Happens Here.
Your Impact
Excel is seeking a Paraprofessional/1:1 Aide to:
- Provide small group or 1:1 behavioral & academic support to a student with special needs
- Provide 1:1 student support based on specific needs outlined in their IEP
- Provide inclusion support to students with special needs in General Education and Foundational level courses
- Work with staff to develop behavioral intervention plans and implement plans to ensure student learning and classroom behavior goals are met
- Work with staff to develop and provide academic support plans for student(s) with special needs
- Confer and collaborate with teachers to ensure accommodations are met in inclusive settings; and
- Provide input for student’s IEP
Qualifications
- A high school diploma or equivalent, AND
- An associate's (or higher) degree; OR
- Completion of 48 credit hours at an Institution of Higher Education; OR
- Completion of one of the formal Massachusetts-endorsed Assessments: Parapro or WorkKeys.
- Experience working with students with substantial behavioral needs;
- Experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required.
Preference will be given to applicants who share points of intersection with our students, such as speaking Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or a language commonly spoken by our students and families at an advanced level, being first generation college graduates, or having grown up low-income.
Mission Alignment
- You share a commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
- You are committed to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
- You work effectively in a team environment and have a willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
- You are open to change, are willing to problem-solve, and seek feedback for your own professional growth and improvement.
