Paraprofessional

Description

Founded in 2001, LEARN is a network of high-performing college preparatory, tuition-free public elementary and middle schools with the mission of providing children with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. There are 11 LEARN Schools serving 4,100 students in grades PK-8 across Chicago, Waukegan, North Chicago, and Washington, D.C. 

It is our goal to create an environment, on every campus, in which our staff members feel supported, respected, and appreciated. Our staff work together at each school and across the network to share ideas, problem solve, and innovate to move our schools and students beyond the expected. LEARN has been honored by having one of our school leaders recognized as the 2022 Principal of the Year by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, in addition to LEARN 9 Waukegan earning a Exemplary school designation by the Illinois State Board of Education. LEARN also received a $7 million dollar gift from Mackenzie Scott in honor of our positive impact on education in Chicago.

LEARN's mission remains crystal clear: to provide children with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. LEARN is currently looking for hard-working and passionate professionals that are dedicated to transforming public education.

About the Opportunity 

As a Paraprofessional, you will collaborate and partner with the Classroom Teacher and Diverse Learning Teacher to ensure successful academic outcomes for individual students. You will assist individual or group of students with their social, academic and physical needs throughout th school day. 

What You’ll Do:
As a Paraprofessional, your critical tasks will include but not limited to:

Essential Job Functions:

• Demonstrates understanding of the instructional program based on the student’s IEP goals
• Be able to take direction from Classroom Teacher, Diverse Learning Teacher and Principal
• Helps promote individual or student group independence, social skills and self-esteem
• Effectively communicates with individual or group of students to promote student understanding
• Monitoring individual or group of student behavior and academic achievement. Assist in establishing expectations for behavior in accordance to school-wide/ classroom culture/discipline plan
• Effectively monitors individual or group of students outside of the classroom (e.g. recess, lunchroom, etc.)
• Utilizes appropriate student assessments to effectively inform differentiated instruction (e.g. utilizes anecdotals)
• Able to assist individual or group of students academic needs and effectively address them
• Effectively executes individualized instruction with minimum supervision
• Promotes and maintains positive relationship with staff

Qualifications

This job is a great fit if: 

• Paraprofessional License
• Have a Bachelor’s Degree or 60 college credits
• Have a demonstrated record of living LEARN's Core Values 

Preferred

• You are bilingual 
• Possess 1 year of Paraprofessional experience

Benefits Summary 

• We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including:
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Wellness Benefits: Online Mental Health Support, free on site COVID  testing
• Paid vacation, personal days, paid holidays, including 5 days off every 23 days in a school year
• Short and long term disability
• Paid life insurance
• 403B Contribution 4.5% matching as eligible

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Teachers will be working in a busy and active environment. There may be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and the Teacher will have to supervise all children at all times. Majority of work will be performed in a general classroom/school environment. May be asked to participate and attend organization sponsored events and meetings, such as field trips and network professional development.

Teachers may be lifting and carrying children and equipment, and may spend time sitting on the floor or child sized furniture. Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Required the ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. Teachers will also be expected to clean and maintain classroom equipment and furniture. Will frequently physically move moderate distances indoors and outdoors throughout the community or building with children including climbing stairs. Physical demands require to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. In addition, walking up and down stairs several times a day. Must be able to lift, push and pull 15 to 40 pounds for short periods of time.

For applicants who apply after 11/1/21, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a valid medical or religious exemption required.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.