RI Academic Paraprofessional (2026-27)

Achievement First; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 18,774 - 22,946; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

403(b) retirement benefit package

Paid family leave

Job summary

Achievement First is looking for a dedicated Paraprofessional to join our team in Rhode Island for the school year 2026-2027. This full-time role involves supporting students with behavior management and collaborating with educators to ensure academic success.

The ideal candidate will embody a commitment to educational excellence, possess strong instructional skills, and have a background in educational support. Benefits include competitive hourly pay and comprehensive medical benefits.

Qualifications

• Must meet at least one of the following: High school diploma + passing score on the ParaPro exam or 60 earned college credits.
• RIDE Teaching Assistant Training Certificate – may be completed within the first 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a behavior system to support students with behavioral issues.
• Create growth plans for individual students needing special attention.
• Provide administrative support during breakfast, lunch, and dismissal.

Skills

Strong instructional and classroom management skills

Unyielding commitment to students and school’s development

Excellent communication skills

Highly organized

Relentlessness in ensuring success

Team player

Education

High school diploma + passing score on the ParaPro exam

60 earned college credits

RIDE Teaching Assistant Training Certificate

Job description

School Year: 2026-2027

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

• Develop and maintain a behavior system that supports students who have been temporarily removed from their classes due to poor behavior, following protocols established by the school’s leadership team (e.g., bringing students to a quiet room or space and monitoring students as they work; calling the parent; documenting the behavior; removing and escorting student back to class, etc.)
• Create and maintain growth plans and tracking charts for individual students who need special attention, in partnership with the principal; build rapport with students who need behavioral support, checking in with students daily and writing notes to parents providing them with updates.
• Provide administrative support at critical times of the day, such as breakfast, lunch and dismissal.
• Attend all professional development sessions and staff meetings.
• Assist dean of school culture with related work as required.
• Invest parents and families in their children’s academic success through regular communication of success and challenges.
• Reflect on successes and areas of growth around all areas of teaching; seek to improve performance; receive feedback eagerly.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a rigorous, joyful, and safe environment.
• Assume responsibility for every single scholar’s success by holding all students accountable during transitions, meals, trips, etc.

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

• Prior to hiring: Must meet at least one of the following:
  • High school diploma + passing score on the ParaPro exam.
  • 60 earned college credits, an AA or BA degree.
• Requirement 2: RIDE Teaching Assistant Training Certificate – may be completed within the first 30 days of employment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate of $20.86.
• As a regular full‑time employee, 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.

Achievement First is an equal‑opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. Learn more about our diversity commitments at http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/.