Elementary Paraprofessional

Friendly Academy; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Friendly Academy in St. Louis, MO seeks a full-time Elementary Paraprofessional for the 2026–2027 school year. The role supports kindergarten through second grade with general and special education, working closely with teachers and staff to aid students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and personal-care needs.

Responsibilities include one-on-one instruction, accommodations, behavior support, and classroom coverage. Salary starts at $33,000 with 10-month in-person schedule.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associate degree or 60 college credits or qualifications for paraprofessional certification.
• Current paraprofessional certification.
• At least three years of experience working with children in education or childcare.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with diverse student needs.
• Commitment to student success and Friendly Academy’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one and small-group instruction under the guidance of classroom and special education teachers.
• Assist students with assignments, activities, personal-care needs, and routines.
• Support students with accommodations, IEPs, and Behavior Intervention Plans as directed.
• Reinforce positive behavior, social skills, and classroom routines.
• Assist with lesson preparation, instructional materials, activities, and management.
• Provide targeted interventions, enrichment, and classroom coverage as needed.
• Supervise students during arrival, dismissal, transitions, lunch, recess and other activities.
• Monitor and support student safety and well-being throughout the day.
• Communicate with teachers and staff regarding progress and needs.
• Build positive relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Participate in student recruitment and other schoolwide activities.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Collaboration skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or 60 college credits

Paraprofessional certification

Job description

Friendly Academy is seeking a full-time Elementary Paraprofessional for the 2026–2027 school year. Friendly Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in North City St. Louis, offering Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. Designed to grow with the community, Friendly Academy will expand grade levels based on family needs, with plans to serve K-12. Grounded in the values of love, innovation, community, and impact, Friendly Academy offers a Literacy Lab grounded in the science of reading, alongside innovative programs that prepare students for lifelong success. As a trusted community partner, Friendly Academy goes beyond traditional academics to connect families to vital resources like housing, food, and clothing, creating a strong foundation for student and family success.

The Elementary Paraprofessional will support students and teachers in kindergarten through second-grade general and special education classrooms. This position works closely with classroom teachers, special education staff, and school leaders to provide academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and personal-care support based on individual student needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide one-on-one and small-group instruction under the guidance of classroom and special education teachers.
• Assist students with assignments, classroom activities, personal-care needs, and daily routines.
• Support students with disabilities by implementing accommodations, modifications, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and Behavior Intervention Plans as directed.
• Reinforce positive behavior, social skills, school expectations, and classroom routines.
• Assist teachers with lesson preparation, instructional materials, classroom activities, and classroom management.
• Provide targeted interventions, enrichment, and classroom coverage as needed.
• Supervise students during arrival, dismissal, transitions, lunch, recess, and other school activities.
• Monitor and support student safety and well-being throughout the school day.
• Communicate with teachers and staff regarding students’ progress, needs, and challenges.
• Build positive and supportive relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Participate in student recruitment and other schoolwide activities.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associate degree, at least 60 college credit hours, or the qualifications required to obtain paraprofessional certification.
• Current paraprofessional certification
• At least three years of experience working with children in an educational or childcare setting.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students who have diverse academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and personal-care needs.
• A commitment to student success, equity, inclusion, and Friendly Academy’s mission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in an elementary school, particularly in a K–5 classroom.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities, English language learners, or students with behavioral and personal-care needs.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Position Details:

• Employment type: Full-time, 10-month, in-person position
• Schedule: Monday through Friday
• Location: Friendly Academy, St. Louis, Missouri
• Salary: Starting at $33,000, based on education and experience
• Reports to: Special Education Teacher, Principal, and Executive Director
• Full-time, exempt position

Friendly Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression), citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, military status, veteran status, genetic information or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. The Board reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.