Paraprofessional education assistant job description

About Mastery:

We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country and the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to help solve this problem. Our ultimate goal is to create a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. We are organized around one driving mission: All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to be truly prepared for postsecondary success and able to pursue their dreams. To fulfill this mission, we attend to the whole child - academically and emotionally - matching high expectations for students with high levels of support.

Mastery Charter Schools is a nonprofit network of more than 24 schools serving over 14,000 students in Philadelphia and Camden. We are the largest turnaround school operator in the nation and have been lauded by President Obama and the US Department of Education for our ability to dramatically boost academic achievement in historically low-performing schools.

We know neighborhood schools matter, all students deserve access to a great education, and the people in our buildings can grow and develop sustainably to make the biggest impact possible in this work.

Mastery's Equity Vision:

We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission.

We strive to be an anti-racist school district that eliminates the inequities in academic achievement that limit our students' choices; that cultivates classrooms where every student is affirmed, supported, and held to high expectations; and that nurtures a diverse organization where students, staff, and families are valued, respected, and included.

This role is eligible for a $500 signing bonus!

The Opportunity:

The paraprofessional shows an unwavering commitment to student achievement to improve the knowledge, skills, and lives of students. The paraprofessional works with children individually and in small groups to ensure that students meet academic and social-emotional success in the classroom as measured by mastery of IEP goals, progress monitoring data, and/or academic achievement data.

Duties and Responsibilities:Ability to assist classroom teacher to teach and positively manage the behavior of special education students; this includes supporting students' behavior across all environments of the school including inclusion classes, lunch, and cooperative play Ability to assist with domestic and personal maintenance (including meal preparation, direct and assistive feeding, diapering, cleaning, sanitizing toys, play objects, etc.) Ability to provide small group instruction/interventions Ability to maintain sensitive, confidential information Must be able to work collaboratively in a non-traditional, urban environment Participation in relevant professional development
Qualifications:Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant current special education methodologies and techniques Outstanding instructional skills, including the ability to motivate and challenge students and maintain an orderly classroom environmentA strong sense of personal accountability for student achievementA belief that all students should be held to high academic standards Demonstrated professionalism and responsibility, and a strong work ethicA positive, high-energy attitude and a drive for personal excellence The ability to problem-solve and a sense of humor are required
Education and Experience:Associate's Degree (or at least 48 college credits) or passing score of ParaPro exam required; education-related field preferred Experience working with adolescents, school-setting experience preferred Experience working with students receiving special education services
Physical Requirements:Standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, speak loudly and clearly, seeing and hearing things both near and far away, stooping, kneeling, fine finger and hand manipulation in use of a computer, chalkboard, dry erase board or projector, repetitive hand and arm motion
Mastery Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.

UPDATE AS OF MAY 2022 - Please review Mastery's Health and Safety Plans here to learn about our approach to vaccination and testing as well as our response to COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year. For ongoing positions, Mastery roles are designated as in-person, with regular on-site responsibilities, unless otherwise noted. As such, Employees must be able to support Mastery Schools' academic plan and business strategies on-site - at a Mastery campus - as required.

Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on an individualized basis.