Special Education Paraprofessional

Georgia Accelerated Career Academy Inc • Atlanta, KS

10d • $30,000 - $35,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Paraprofessional works under the supervision of a certified special education teacher and school administrator to provide instructional, behavioral, social-emotional, and personal support to students with disabilities. The role assists with implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), inclusive classroom instruction, hands-on STEMM and healthcare learning experiences, and the development of student independence.

Paraprofessionals serve as educators, mentors, and advocates, fostering confidence, resilience, and belonging while maintaining high expectations. They work with students individually and in small groups, support access to grade-level curriculum, help address academic and daily living needs, and collaborate with teachers, therapists, administrators, families, healthcare partners, and community organizations. The work takes place in classrooms, laboratories, community-based learning environments, clinical simulation spaces, and other school facilities.

The position requires maintaining student confidentiality and safety, responding to diverse academic, behavioral, communication, and medical needs, and participating in professional learning and school activities. The employee may need to assist with personal care, mobility, medical protocols, and student safety interventions in accordance with training and school procedures. This is a 190-day position with a stated salary of $30,000–$35,000.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Associate degree, completion of 48 semester hours of college coursework, or successful completion of an approved Georgia Paraprofessional Assessment.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification, or ability to obtain certification within three months of employment.
• Ability to obtain Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) or approved de-escalation training within six months.
• Successful criminal background check and fingerprint clearance.
• Ability to work effectively with students with diverse learning needs.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students and families, maintain confidentiality, and communicate professionally with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Ability to support diverse learners using differentiated instructional strategies and implement behavioral supports consistently and compassionately.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, collect and maintain accurate student data, adapt to changing student needs, and organize multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to model professionalism, patience, flexibility, and kindness, and to foster student independence and self-advocacy while upholding high expectations.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress and work with frequent interruptions, deadlines, and prolonged or irregular hours.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, lift, push, and pull; assist students with mobility and daily living activities; move quickly in response to student safety needs; and work indoors and outdoors.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds independently and assist with moving heavier weights using appropriate equipment or team lifting techniques.
• Ability to perform duties in environments that may involve loud noise, bodily fluids, medical emergencies, student behavioral crises, temperature and humidity extremes, and biological hazards.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of experience working with students with disabilities.
• Experience in inclusive classroom settings.
• Experience implementing behavior intervention plans.
• Experience supporting students with autism, emotional and behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities.
• Bilingual ability, Spanish preferred.
• Experience with assistive technology.
• Experience in STEM, healthcare, or project-based learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional support to students individually and in small groups under the direction of a certified teacher.
• Assist students in accessing grade-level curriculum aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence.
• Implement teacher-developed lesson plans, accommodations, and modifications.
• Support students during classroom instruction, laboratories, simulations, field experiences, and community-based learning.
• Reinforce academic concepts using evidence-based instructional strategies and promote student independence.
• Assist students with organization, study skills, executive functioning, and self-advocacy.
• Assist in implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), behavior intervention plans, and individualized accommodations.
• Collect and document student progress toward IEP goals and maintain accurate, confidential records.
• Assist with communication supports, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology.
• Participate in IEP meetings and team meetings as requested.
• When required by student needs, assist with feeding, toileting, grooming, dressing, and personal hygiene.
• Provide mobility assistance using adaptive equipment and support students with medical protocols as trained.
• Respond appropriately during emergencies and maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming learning environment.
• Build positive relationships with students and implement proactive classroom management, restorative practices, and PBIS strategies.
• Support students in developing emotional regulation, communication, social, independence, and self-management skills; redirect behavior respectfully while preserving student dignity.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, administrators, and families; participate in professional learning and instructional planning.
• Model professionalism and AIM's CARE Expectations, and support school-wide events, field experiences, and healthcare partnership activities.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, mission-driven school culture.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the CEO, Assistant Principal, or Special Education Coordinator.
• Travel to other locations as needed for training, supervision, or school events.
• When required under specific circumstances, provide physical restraint of students to prevent harm to themselves or others, in accordance with training, school procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Participation in the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS), if eligible, or other applicable retirement benefits.
• Paid professional development.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• 190 work days.
• Opportunity to help build Georgia's first healthcare-focused public charter school and make a lasting impact on students' lives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED