Middle School Special Education Paraprofessional

Rocky Mountain Prep; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team dedicated to transforming public education for historically marginalized students. As a Special Education Paraprofessional, you will play a crucial role in fostering independence and supporting students with diverse learning needs. Collaborate with educators to implement data-driven instruction and create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an excellent opportunity for mission-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference in education.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Retirement through PERA

Paid-Time-Off

Qualifications

• Experience working with scholars with disabilities preferred.
• Ability to assist in academic and life skills development.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with severe learning needs in daily living.
• Support instruction in academics and sensory skills.
• Monitor behavior and implement behavior plans.

Skills

Experience with special education

Collaboration skills

Data-driven instruction

Behavior management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

About Rocky Mountain Prep

We are Rocky Mountain Prep, a movement comprised of incredible educators, families, scholars, and advocates who are changing the face of public education in Colorado by democratizing college access and preparation for historically marginalized students and families. On paper, we are a network of twelve college preparatory charter schools in the Denver metro area serving students as young as twelve weeks through twelfth grade. But we are so much more than this.

The RMP community is filled with staff, students, and stakeholders who are motivated by our pillars of rigor and love, live daily by our PEAK values, and believe deeply in the power and potential of every student we serve. We aspire to be the highest-performing school system in Colorado. We will grow to serve students in many communities who need more seats in schools that provide rigorous and loving college preparatory options.

If you are mission-driven, humble in your reflections about your practice, smart in your approach to data, and results-oriented, we’d love to have you apply.

Who We Seek:

We seek teachers and staff who are interested in developing students into outstanding human beings in their academic and personal lives by role-modeling our culture of Rigor and Love. Work collaboratively with their teammates and seek feedback, coaching, and mentorship from their admin team and school community. Implement our data-driven curriculum with the tools they’ve gained from experience while they adapt to the needs of their students.

During the 2024-2025 school year, RMP is driving after five big goals:

1. 85% Staff Retention
2. 100% of campuses going green & ECE-2nd grade students growing an average of 1.25 years in math and reading
3. 100% of seniors accepted into college
4. 40% of 3rd-8th grade students meet their Accelerated Reader millionaire goal
5. RMP meets its network enrollment goal

Each member of the organization plays a part in achieving these goals. School-based staff members will work towards 2 or 3 metrics that are aligned to both their individual roles AND the Big 5. These metrics vary by position and are subject to change.

In This Role, You Will...

As a Special Education Paraprofessional, you will be held accountable for some of these goals. Learn more about how you'll drive these goals in the list below.

If you apply for this role, you will be considered for two program areas:

1. Mild/Moderate

As a Teaching Assistant for mild/moderate scholars, you will be supporting 1:1 with scholars who need support accessing the school environment. This will include supporting general education content classes and special education small groups. This includes but is not limited to accessing the curriculum, supporting student focus, and behavioral support. You will be responsible for knowing what interventions and supports are best practices as deemed appropriate by the IEP/BIP. You will work closely with a mild/moderate case manager who will support you in daily instruction and support.

2. Centers-Based

As a teaching assistant in our center-based programming, you will be supporting scholars inside the special education classroom and general education environment as deemed appropriate by the IEP. You will be under the supervision of the Lead teacher of the center-based program. You will support scholars with daily instruction, health-related needs, recreational/play-based learning, behavioral, and other duties assigned by the Lead Teacher.

Role Mission

Special Education Teaching Assistants work to support data-driven instruction that will lead to outstanding academic results while fostering close and impactful relationships with each scholar in the classroom. Through consistent feedback and collaboration with a lead teacher, Special Education Teaching Assistants drive student goals by supporting them one-on-one, in groups, or by facilitating small-group activities that help students build their sensory skills, motor skills, life skills, and social-emotional skills. Special Education Teachers at RMP partner with their Teaching Assistants to ensure all students are on track to meet our Big 5 goals.

In this role, you will...

• Be responsible for assisting students with severe learning needs to be as independent as possible in everyday living.
• Instruct small and large groups in academics, sensory skills, art, monetary skills, domestics, and recreation
• Supervise and support in the classroom, physical education classes, the clinic, lunchroom, playground, and in transit to and from buses
• Monitor and track required record keeping; monitor behavior; implement behavior plans
• Feed and supervise eating including spoon-feeding and tube feeding (depends on the level and scholar need)
• Carrying out occupational or physical therapy activities as directed; administering assigned medical tasks

Qualifications

Required:

• Provide evidence of completing high school or a GED
• Pass a background check
• Demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States
• We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

Preferred:

• Previous experience working with scholars with disabilities
• Experience working with elementary school students and diverse populations
• CPI/NCI trained

Our benefits package includes:

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement through PERA
• Paid-Time-Off

Salary

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with a salary range of $40,000 - $68,800 a year.

Demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Rocky Mountain Prep does not sponsor visas at this time.

RMP is an equal opportunity employer. We seek applicants of diverse backgrounds and hire without regard to color, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We appreciate your interest in Rocky Mountain Prep and look forward to getting to know you!