Special Education Instructional Assistant

High Point Academy; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 20,664 - 30,307; Full time

Job summary

High Point Academy in Aurora, CO seeks an Instructional Assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. This full-time, hourly role provides 1:1 instructional support for students with disabilities, guiding progress toward academic and individual goals while collaborating with teachers and families.

Ideal candidates are reflective practitioners who use data to guide instruction and work closely with Special Education staff to ensure alignment with IEP goals and services.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Associates degree or Para Pro exam preferred.
• Experience with MTSS and data-informed instruction is a plus.
• Ability to work 1:1 with students with disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 or small group instruction based on data and MTSS cycles.
• Monitor and document student progress and communicate with families and teachers.
• Support students with disabilities and assist with personal care needs as delegated by School Nurse.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers and special education staff to align with IEP goals and services.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive classroom environment and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma

Associates Degree or Para Pro Exam

Job description

Job Title: Instructional Assistant -Special Education

School: High Point Academy

School Year: 2026–2027

Position Type: Full-Time, Hourly

Reports To: Director of Exceptional Learners

Position Overview

High Point Academy is seeking a dedicated Instructional Assistant for the 2026–2027 school year. This full-time, hourly position focuses on supporting individual students in a one to one setting.

Instructional Assistants are an essential support for students with disabilities who require intensive, targeted support. In addition, IAs may support students through skill-building groups that extend grade-level learning to ensure all students are progressing toward academic goals and individual goals.

The ideal candidate is a reflective practitioner who enjoys working closely with students, uses data to guide instruction, and collaborates effectively with classroom teachers, families, and special education teachers to ensure alignment with IEP goals and services.

Why Work at High Point Academy

High Point Academy is a collaborative K–8 community committed to developing students as leaders, learners, and responsible citizens. Guided by the principles of EL Education and Leader in Me, staff work together to ensure all students experience meaningful learning, strong relationships, and opportunities to grow academically and personally.

At High Point Academy, we understand that powerful learning only happens with strong relationships between students, staff, and families. Our mission is to provide a strong foundation of academic excellence in partnership with family and community in which everyone is challenged to achieve his/her highest potential academically, socially, and personally.

High Point Academy is a public charter school serving students in preschool through 8th grade. Located in Aurora, CO, just north of Green Valley Ranch, HPA serves an ethnically diverse student population which includes 27% linguistically diverse students and 60% of our students qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch. HPA is an award-winning wellness school whose curriculum and classes promote healthy lifestyle choices.

We are passionate about building and sustaining inclusive and equitable working and learning environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.

• High Point believes the role of every member of the community is to ensure our students are known, cared for, and celebrated. That every member of the community respects each other's race, gender, ethnicity, and all other differences we experience today.
• High Point Academy is committed to each child's growth and success, and we know that creating an accessible, safe, and supportive environment are integral components of academic excellence. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strengthens High Point Academy's climate for diversity, equity & inclusion. Demonstrates skills in promoting and supporting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, races, genders, ages, and backgrounds.

High Point Academy

At High Point Academy, we seek educators who believe every child is capable of excellence and leadership. Our teachers are not simply instructors of content-they are cultivators of character, designers of meaningful learning, and champions of student voice. The full educator profile is available here.

High Point Academy's teaching assistant/paraprofessional is inspired to support educators to contribute to a better world. This position is for a 1:1 support for an exceptional learner.

As a representative of the school, the Instructional Assistant/paraprofessional must present a professional, courteous, and friendly attitude when interacting with students, parents, staff, and the public. This position requires the teaching assistant/paraprofessional to remain calm and poised in stressful situations and work toward solutions and possibilities. The teaching assistant/paraprofessional maintains confidentiality and uses discretion in all aspects of communication. The teaching assistant/paraprofessional strives to enhance the programs and experience for all staff and students at High Point Academy.

Essential Duties-Teacher Associate/Paraprofessional

• At the direction of the classroom teacher/Director or Special Education teacher, provide a small group or 1:1 support to students based on data. Utilize high-quality resources to deliver small group lessons, collect student work, and provide evidence of student work following the rhythm of school-wide MTSS cycles of support.
• Communicate and collect data on student learning and progress.
• Provide individual instructional support.
• Support and manage personal care needs including feeding, medical needs as delegated by School Nurse, and toileting.
• Support classroom teachers and service providers with weekly family communication folders that include school-wide fliers, homework, completed work, and personalized student notes.
• Lead school beautification efforts for grade band including posting student work, updating bulletin boards, decorating the hallway, etc.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in the school environment and community.
• Develops a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect with colleagues and students.
• Participates in all required training with the grade level team, Director, and teachers to provide classroom support that is coordinated and consistent with the classroom teachers.
• When necessary, provide class coverage.
• Knowledge of and adherence to approved communication pathways.
• Participates in MTSS meetings/data meetings, providing updates/information regarding students who are a part of the small group.
• Ability to multitask, self-monitor multiple projects, and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Education or 3+ years of experience in a school setting.
• Proven ability to provide small group support for students or one to one supports for students with disabilities.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Associates Degree or ability to pass the Para Pro Exam upon hire
• Interest in and commitment to high expectations for all children
• Expert-level written and oral communication skills
• Commitment to HPA-approved curriculum/teaching structures
• Entrepreneurial outlook and charter school commitment
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Strong self-starter; able to work with limited direction
• Ability to apply superb judgment
• Exemplary professional practices and integrity

Compensation

• This position reports as soon as possible for the 2026-2027 school year.
• High Point Academy partners with REACH University.
• This is an hourly position. School hours are 7:30-4:45 W, and 7:30-3:45 M/T/TH/F.