Job Title: Academic Support Paraprofessional

Philosophy

Phoenix Charter Academy's mission is to challenge young people in our area with an academically rigorous and individually tailored curriculum. Phoenix scholars will have the support, resources and training needed to succeed academically in high school and college, and become economically secure in their future. Phoenix Charter Academy is named after a mythological figure of strength, healing and renewal.

Phoenix schools challenge resilient, disconnected young people with rigorous academics and relentless supports, so they take ownership of their futures and succeed in high school, college, and as self-sufficient adults.

Role Summary

Paraprofessionals, under the supervision of academic support staff and school administration, provide support critical in ensuring that all Phoenix scholars receive high-quality instruction in their pursuit of educational opportunities in high school and beyond.  

Commitments

All staff acknowledge that we will each seek – through formal and informal feedback – to dramatically improve our own progress and that of our scholars.  

Qualities of a Phoenix staff member:

• Unwavering Belief in Phoenix Scholars - Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of what can seem like insurmountable barriers and societal constraints.

• Ability to Put Scholars First - Phoenix staff go above and beyond to ensure scholar mastery of the skills and development of positive self-identity that will ensure success for college, careers and beyond.  Phoenix staff find every opportunity to engage in teaching and learning with scholars, using conflict to build supportive relationships with scholars and never taking things personally.

• Eager to Learn Under Pressure - Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast paced, ever evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.

• Humility - Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and desire to understand the perspectives of others. They carry an internalized sense of “I can always learn more”  from others, and know that adults at Phoenix must model the qualities of being open-minded and willing to make mistakes and learn from them.

• Experience with Low Income Communities -  Staff have the proven ability to work across cultures and experience serving low-income communities and/or academically-disconnected adolescents.  

• Ability to Find Inspiration In the Small Things - In the face of challenge and hard work,  Phoenix staff must have the ability to find humor, inspiration, success and joy in the day to day interactions with scholars and the larger Phoenix Community.

• Personal Commitment to Cultural Proficiency and Ongoing Development - Phoenix staff are ongoing learners about diversity, equity and inclusion and seek to understand the ways that their self-identity and experiences impacts and interacts with their daily work, colleagues and scholars.

Specific Responsibilities

Basic Academic Support and Administrative Support Duties:

• Assist in the educational and social development of scholars individually, in small groups, and in classroom settings under the direction and guidance of the Academic Support and classroom teachers.
• Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans and 504 plans for the scholars and monitor their progress.
• Provide support for individual scholars inside and outside the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities.
• Work with other professionals, such as speech therapist, social worker, occupational and physical therapists.
• Assist classroom teachers and Academic Support teachers with maintaining scholar records.
• Support scholars with emotional or behavior concerns and assist them in developing appropriate social skills.
• Assist in the preparation and display of scholar work.
• Assist classroom teachers with creating and preparing materials used to support teaching.

Basic Student Support Duties:

• Work with SST to support the use of alternative disciplinary methods when necessary; support scholars’ basic behavioral intervention plan needs
• Support teachers in providing scholars with breaks in class while maintaining rigor and urgency.
• Communicate regularly with Student Support Team about scholars of concern.
• Work shifts in the SSC and facilitate all necessary follow-up as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED, and
• Associate of Arts or Science Degree or higher, or
• 48 undergraduate college credits, or
• Meeting or exceeding the State-mandated score on the Paraprofessional (ParaPro) Assessment or WorkKeys Assessment of Proficiency.   
• Bachelor’s degree and experience working with special education scholars preferred
• Bilingual/Multilingual candidates highly encouraged to apply
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under the direction of others
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others
• Willingness to assume responsibilities appropriate for the position
• Support the Phoenix mission statement in words and actions toward scholars, staff, and families
• Willingness to attend required staff and team meetings
• Proactive in matters relating to the health and safety of scholars and staff

**It is understood that this Job Description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be a complete and total description of each and every duty and responsibility. As such, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

It is also understood that the Network retains the right to modify this Job Description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**

We seek a diverse workforce. Phoenix Charter Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to providing equal opportunity to staff and applicants in all areas of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other area protected by federal, state or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.