Special Education Paraprofessional - 6.75 hrs/day(multiple)

Applitrack; Rigolet; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Long-term care insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid sick leave

Paid personal time

Paid emergency time

Job summary

Northern Lights Academy Cooperative is seeking a Special Education Paraprofessional to support students with high needs in a 6.75 hour/day role. The position focuses on assisting certified staff, reinforcing reading, language arts, math, and other skills, and promoting inclusion.

Preference is given to candidates who collaborate well with colleagues and families. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of certified staff, participate in IEP processes as needed, and help maintain

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; 60 college credits or passing required examination under No Child Left Behind Act.
• Commitment to equitable education and supporting students with special needs; experience with diverse learners preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist certified staff in classrooms to meet instructional goals.
• Work with students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning.
• Assist in administration and correction of assignments and assessments.
• Assist with classroom preparations and instructional materials for individual needs.
• Record-keeping to document student progress and performance.
• Support behavioral management to maintain a safe, orderly classroom.
• Supervise non-instructional areas including lunch, bus duty, and recreation.
• Accompany students on field trips and assist with supervision.
• Collaborate with teachers and families to foster involvement in education.

Skills

Collaboration

Verbal communication

Written communication

Classroom support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

60 college credits

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

Special Education Paraprofessional - 6.75 hrs/day(multiple) JobID: 994

• Date Posted: 10/5/2026
• Location: Northern Lights Academy (High-Needs School)

About Northern Lights Academy Cooperative

Welcome to Northern Lights Academy! The Northern Lights Academy (NLA) mission is to support children and youth with significant emotional and behavioral needs, as well as those with low incidence disabilities. We provide academic, social and functional skill development, and mental health services to students from the member school districts of The Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative. Our goal is to foster learning, promote independence, cultivate social and behavior skills, work in partnerships with families, and support students to become successful learners in their least restrictive environment, as well as active, productive members of our communities.

If you are passionate about education and community, we invite you to join our team!

Position Overview

The successful candidate will be an individual who firmly believes:

• All students can and will learn, and that their learning can be directly influenced by focusing on factors over which we have control;
• In the need to work interdependently with teachers, school, and district leaders throughout the system, aligning the work of adults around improving student learning by meeting the needs, interests, and aspirations of students;
• In the need to work in partnership with staff to continuously improve practices to enhance student and family engagement, creating the conditions for equity, excellence and student success; and
• In meeting students' academic, social, and emotional needs and aspirations so that each student feels valued and has a sense of belonging, leading to academic success

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development. This position is considered non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Primary Responsibilities

Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Assistand guidestudents to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Workwith students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assistprofessional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assistin classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assistwith record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assistwith classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assiststudents in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompanystudents on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Construct, copyand distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Assistteacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assiststudents with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participatein IEP process and serveas resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Followall applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities and is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Preferences

We strongly prefer candidates who have exhibited excellence in collaboration with colleagues and an enthusiasm for working with students. Preferred candidates will have demonstrated the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of:
  • Applicable federal and state laws pertaining to special education
• Ability to:
  • Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers
  • Carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form
  • Add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students
  • Understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g. Word, Excel)
  • Work with a diverse group of individuals
  • Maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others
  • Establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and others contacted in the course of work
  • Report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required
  • Work outdoors during outdoor student activities
  • Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, as required.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, with 60 earned college level semester credits or passing of an examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act. For applicants who do not meet the college or examination requirement, will consider applicants with the ability to pass the required examination within 30 days. Additional demonstrated qualifications include: commitment to the equitable education of all students, creative planning and organizational skills, and highly effective interpersonal skills. Previous experience working with special needs studentspreferred. Prefer candidate with experience working with diverse learners.

Licensing Requirements

No specific license is required for this position.

Salary and Benefits

The starting pay for this position is between $21.61and is based on 2026-2028 AFSCME Paraprofessional Contract. Your initial placement is dependent on your qualifications (education and years of relevant experience). We are proud to offer a wide array of benefits to our employees, including medical, dental, life, long-term disability, long-term care, an employee assistance program, and retirement contributions. You will also be eligible for paid sick, personal, and emergency time.

For any inquiries or questions regarding the position, please contact Barb Mackey,Assistant Special Education Director, at [e-mail] or 218-878-3064.

A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, educate, and support our students. Cloquet will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications outlined in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and know that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.