Special Education Paraprofessional

Meridian Charter Schools•Chicago, IL

13d

About The Position

As a leading education management organization, Meridian Charter Schools is committed to transforming the lives of students in culturally and linguistically diverse communities by providing students access to high-quality educational opportunities that elevate their identities as an asset and foster equitable and inclusive learning environments. Meridian Charter Schools is a school management organization (SMO) in Chicago, IL that operates three campuses of Chicago International Charter School: CICS Ralph Ellison High School, CICS Northtown Academy High School, and CICS Wrightwood Elementary School. We believe through collective effort, we will have collective impact. Informed by the school’s mission, Special Education Paraprofessionals will ensure that all students acquire the knowledge and skills required for academic progress and achievement, as defined by curricular and instructional objectives and overarching school goals. Special Education Paraprofessionals provide instructional assistance and support for diverse learners under the professional guidance and supervision of the diverse learner teachers and case managers. Special Education Paraprofessionals work with students individually or in small groups providing instructional, assessment, emotional, and behavioral support appropriate to the student’s individualized education program and demonstrated needs and may work with students inside and outside of the regular classroom. Paraprofessionals are responsible to reflect the mission and guiding principles of the school, to help students uphold the rules and standards of the Student Code of Conduct, to build positive and collaborative relationships with students, staff, parents, and other staff members with transparency and accountability that best ensures student academic and personal achievement. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are generally representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

High School Diploma
Illinois State Board of Education Paraprofessional License or comparable, current out-of-state licensure
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, verbally and in writing
Fundamental understanding of human development principles as related to children and adolescents
Flexibility, adaptability, and creativity with respect to problem solving
A strong desire to advocate, support, and encourage students with learning, physical, and emotional challenges
A positive attitude

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree
Bilingual Spanish/English
Experience working with students or youth
Experience in urban school setting
Experience working with students with a host of disabilities
Experience working with educational technology (i.e. laptops, projectors, etc.)
Experience working with online platforms (i.e. Google Documents and Forms, email, etc.)

Responsibilities

Facilitate and promote equity, a positive school environment and advocacy of students that aligns with the organization's mission and values.
Collaborate with colleagues and school leaders to strengthen support structures intended to promote access and equity that meets the needs of all students.
Demonstrate respect and regard for students, colleagues, and parents.
Participate positively and productively in team, department, school, network, and parent meetings.
Arrive on-time to assignments.
Take initiative to provide needed supports.
Attend school and network professional learning and collaboration days to improve skills, give and receive feedback, and be open to coaching, mentoring, partnerships.
Promptly return phone calls and answer emails within 24-48 weekday hours.
Assist with maintaining student records including using any technology employed by the school.
Observe students’ performance and development and report observations as requested.
Follow school and network policies and protocols.
Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds.
Support the creation of inclusive, identity-affirming spaces for students.
Implement professional practice and responsibilities, demonstrating cultural competence.
Implement D.E.I principles in interactions with members of the school community.
Provide assistance to teachers to provide services to students with a host of disabilities including, but not limited to learning disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, emotional-behavioral disorders, mental health concerns, and physical disabilities.
Provide instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans/accommodations/supports, and ensuring students success in school all under the supervision of assigned teacher.
Attend IEP meetings when requested.
Use strategies that promote students’ independence for learning.
Reinforce reading, writing, mathematical ideas and concepts, and other such skills presented by the classroom teacher.
Assist in the review and evaluation of students’ work, as requested.
Contribute to progress monitoring and collect data, as requested by the case manager or teacher.
Contribute to the smooth functioning of the classroom environment.
Provide assessment assistance to students, individually and in small groups.
Monitor students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive school environment.
Provide assistance to students with orthopedic impairments, coordinating and preparing related equipment and apparatus to support access to the classroom and other critical areas of the school.
Implement assessment accommodations, as required by the student’s individualized education program.
Actively participate in the development and implementation of new paraprofessional techniques and approaches to working with diverse learners.
Actively participate in discussions and programs to improve student performance, experience, attendance, conduct.
Model positive behavior for assigned students (e.g. interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, homework processes, social interaction, etc.) for the purpose of providing educational and life skills training.
Intervene to prevent or address disciplinary infractions, as directed by the teacher, case manager, individualized education program, or behavior intervention plan.
Collect and report data on behavior, as requested or needed.
Implement services under the direction and guidance of the teacher/case manager to promote academic, social, and emotional progress and achievement.
Use instructional strategies and techniques to provide instructional assistance and support to individuals and small groups of students inside/outside of the classroom.
Assist with organization of materials and instructional space to support students.
Perform other duties as assigned.