Paraprofessional/1:1 Aide

Organization Overview

Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality education to students in East Boston and Chelsea Massachusetts, communities that are predominantly low-income and Latinx and historically have faced significant social and educational barriers. Our success in Massachusetts is proof that the opportunity gap can be closed. At Excel Academy Charter Schools, we believe that when a student has the support and tools to pursue a productive post-secondary pathway aligned to their personal identity and values, it can fundamentally change their life trajectory.

Over the years, we have grown from one middle school to a network of four schools with 1,400 students in grades 5 to 12. In the fall of 2022 we will welcome a founding class of 5th graders to help us launch Excel Academy Rhode Island. By 2032, Excel Rhode Island will run 4 schools serving over 2,100 students from Providence, Central Falls, and North Providence.

We present our students with educational experiences that allow them to grow and discover their best selves so that when they leave our halls, they can successfully navigate all of the post-secondary options available to them. You can read more about the impact of the Excel Academy model.

At Excel Academy we learn from our students, families, and staff and make improvements. We have increasingly adapted to provide a holistic education that values our community as collaborators in the learning process, social-emotional support, equity for diverse learners, and fosters identity development. We prioritize an approach that is both rigorous and inclusive. Our team of passionate, intelligent, driven, and loving staff are at the core of the work we do.

Growth Happens Here.

Duties & Responsibilities

Excel is seeking a Paraprofessional to:
Provide 1:1 academic support to a remote learning student with special needs based on specific needs outlined in their IEP

Provide instructional support to student in Foundational to develop support plans to ensure students’ learning goals are met, as needed

Work with staff to develop and provide academic support plans for students

Confer and collaborate with teachers to ensure accommodations are met in inclusive settings (as needed)

Collaborate and communicate regularly with families to ensure students’ success, as needed

Provide input for students’ IEPs

Qualifications

A high school diploma or equivalent, AND

An associate’s (or higher) degree; OR

Completion of 48 credit hours at an Institution of Higher Education; OR

Completion of one of the formal Massachusetts-endorsed Assessments: Parapro or WorkKeys.

Experience working with students with substantial behavioral need preferred, but not required;

Experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required;

Physical Restraint Training preferred, but not required;

A commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;

A commitment to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;

The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;

The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and

An openness to change, a willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in receiving feedback for continuous improvement.

Preference will be given to applicants who also:
Have experience in a public or charter school setting;

Speak Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic fluently;

Can speak to the importance of rigorous classroom instruction and culture