Academic Paraprofessional:

School Year: 2025-2026

The role of a Paraprofessional at Achievement First:

Achievement First invites passionate educators to apply for the position of Paraprofessional. Working at Achievement First is an ideal position for an educator with deep passion for instruction who is eager to gain rigorous development to help perfect his/her craft. In addition to participating in weekly professional development and team planning meetings, staff receive consistent high-impact coaching and feedback from a school administrator or teacher-leader. We believe that every child has the ability to succeed and attend college. Our students work extremely hard and are held to very high expectations regarding both their academic achievement and character development. Students are expected to operate in accordance with our REACH Values (Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship, and Hard Work) both in and outside of school. The Achievement First community is a Team & Family and teachers, school leaders and support staff work together closely to ensure the academic success and character development of not only the students in their classroom, but all students in their school. We invest in each of our staff members with the understanding that they alone have the power to achieve our mission of providing all students with the academic and character skills necessary to succeed in a competitive world.

The Paraprofessional is a full-time position responsible for creating behavior systems, protocols and consequences in conjunction with the dean of school culture and the principal. They will develop a strong rapport with students and maintain behavior systems created to support students struggling with behavior. In addition, the behavior specialist will provide critical support to teachers and administrators during breakfast, lunch and dismissal.

Responsibilities of Achievement First Paraprofessional include, but are not limited to:

• Implement teacher planned instruction as directed by classroom teachers
• Support individual or small group instruction with teacher collaboration
• Support with implementation of IEP accommodations
• Maintain documentation of student services and progress
• Collaborate with the special education teacher(s) and Dean around student progress
• Collaborate with special education/general education and related service providers around student and your support
• Provide insight on strengths and weakness for the writing of new IEP(s) for the scholar
• Document para support through Medicaid and Time Study Process

Skills and Characteristics

• Strong instructional and classroom management skills
• Unyielding commitment to students, self and school’s constant learning and development
• Relentlessness - doing whatever it takes to ensure success
• Team player
• Excellent communication skills
• Highly organized
• Belief in Achievement First’s mission, educational model, REACH and Core Values
• Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude

Educational Background and Work Experience

• High School Diploma required with TA Certificate or passing Para test score of 461+ or
• Associate Degree or Minimum of 60 College Credits
• Experience working with children or adolescents.

Compensation & Benefits

• Employees at Achievement First are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. Paraprofessionals’ hourly rates start at $17.00.
• As a regular full time employee of Achievement First, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and paid Family Leave.