Student Support/ Paraprofessional

Phoenix Charter Academy•Springfield, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Phoenix Charter Academy, we pride ourselves on giving students a vibrant learning experience in a welcoming environment. Our community counts on paraprofessionals to bring the best to the classroom every day. We�re searching for a qualified paraprofessional to join us in delivering high-quality learning experiences. The ideal candidate has prior experience in this role, and is flexible to adapt to the changing nature of the demands of the class. He or she will work closely with an assigned staff member and support them in their duties. Typical tasks include working with students in groups and individually during lessons, assisting with lesson plans and materials, grading homework, and writing progress reports. The thriving paraprofessional is caring, compassionate, and committed to each student�s success.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Proven experience working with students
Effective communication skills; oral, written, and visual with adults and children
Understanding of basic principles of childhood development
Familiarity with educational software or willingness to learn
Communication - Conveys information effectively and efficiently using verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills; has knowledge and flexibility to communicate across lines of difference
Scholar Orientation - Works to deepen understanding of scholars and centers the needs of scholars in all aspects of how the work is done
Adaptability - Adjusts and strategically aligns work to the school's mission while navigating complex and changing environments internally and externally
Strong work ethic with ability to work independently and in a team environment

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in this role
Flexible to adapt to the changing nature of the demands of the class
Caring, compassionate, and committed to each student�s success

Responsibilities

Boosting Engagement & Motivation: Designed and implemented personalized incentive systems. Cultivated strong, supportive relationships with chronically unmotivated students, utilizing active listening and interest-based learning to re-engage them in classroom activities. Leveraged student interests (e.g., sports, technology, gaming) to adapt standard lesson materials, making abstract concepts relevant and sparking renewed academic curiosity.
Moving Category I Student Progression: Targeted academic deficits by breaking down complex, multi-step assignments into manageable, bite-sized tasks, helping struggling students overcome frustration and build momentum. Monitored and recorded daily academic progress, utilizing data-driven insights to adjust intervention strategies and successfully move 85% of assigned students to passing grades. Facilitated small-group and one-on-one intensive review sessions, accelerating student comprehension and ensuring benchmarks were met before unit exams.
Collaboration & Behavior Management: Collaborated closely with SST and IEP teams to consistently apply behavioral intervention plans (BIPs), resulting in a noticeable decrease in task-avoidance behaviors. Partnered with classroom teachers to proactively identify learning bottlenecks and co-develop scaffolding techniques that kept at-risk students moving forward with the rest of the class.
Personalized & Timely Progress: Delivered targeted 1:1 interventions that accelerated student progression, successfully moving disengaged or struggling learners back on track within an average 6-to-8-week timeframe. Accelerated academic pacing through intensive, personalized 1:1 support, enabling historically unmotivated students to master foundational skills and close learning gaps in an average of 6-8 weeks. Designed and executed short-term, 1:1 intensive action plans that re-engaged students and fast-tracked their course progression, averaging a complete turnaround in student performance within 6 to 8 weeks.
Additional Responsibilities as Required: Participates weekly in Scholar Success Team meetings and other cross-school meetings as necessary. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to coordinate and support school programming. Classroom coverage based on the needs of the school.

Benefits

Professional development
Coaching
Resources needed for you to succeed
An open, curious, and celebratory culture that embraces diversity as a leading asset and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice, and Equity working group
Competitive market comp
Medical
Dental
Vision
Mental health
Wellness plans
A 403b
Longevity bonus
Pet insurance