Special Education ParaEducators (SPARK) – SYSTEMWIDE

Journey Middle; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Journey Middle in Madison, AL is seeking a Special Education ParaEducator (SPARK) to provide high-quality academic, behavioral, or functional support for students with disabilities under the direction of licensed staff.

The role focuses on inclusive learning, assisting with routines, and supporting individualized instruction across the school day, with 187 days/8 hours and a full-year schedule. Requires patience, reliability, and strong communication with staff and families.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, preferred.
• Three years of school experience, preferred.
• At least eighteen years of age.
• Valid Alabama driver’s license.
• Such alternative to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

Responsibilities

• Performs academic, therapeutic, and recreational tasks under the supervision of a certified special education teacher(s).
• Works with small groups of students to reinforce and re-teach material.
• Assists in the guidance of independent study, enrichment work, remedial help, and follow-up work as specified by the teacher(s).
• Assists with routine classroom clerical and housekeeping duties.
• Assists with the preparation of instructional aids, bulletin boards and other learning displays.
• Assists with non-instructional classroom duties such as snack, break, personal hygiene/clothing needs, etc.

Skills

Disability support

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Physical stamina

Education

Associate degree preferred

Job description

Special Education ParaEducators (SPARK) – SYSTEMWIDE

Madison City Schools (AL) Journey Middle - Madison, Alabama Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5949844

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 29, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Oct 12, 2026

Job Description

Job Goal: To provide high-quality, individualized academic, behavioral, or functional support for students with disabilities as directed by certified instructional staff, related service providers, central office stakeholders, and/or school administration. Support other classroom and school staff in creating an inclusive learning environment that promotes academic progress, independence, and positive social-emotional development.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED, preferred
• Three years of school experience, preferred
• At least eighteen years of age
• Valid Alabama driver’s license
• Such alternative to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Principal or Appropriate Supervisor

Background Check Required: (Ala. Code §§16-22A-5 ) Upon offer of employment, employees will be required to submit legible fingerprints for a background review by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Background checks must not be more than 10 years old. A new background check is required for anyone new to Madison City Schools, regardless of the recency of the ABI and FBI background checks.

Student Safety & Security: Madison City Schools prioritizes a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment. Employees are expected to model professional conduct, maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with students, use district-approved channels for communications, and avoid interactions that could be perceived as favoritism, grooming, or undue familiarity. Staff must promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement authorities as required by Alabama law. Compliance with these expectations is a condition of employment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work with children with disabilities.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Physically capable of meeting all performance responsibilities required with students, including stooping, bending, and lifting.
• Knowledge of problems related to needs of special needs students.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures for working with special needs students.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, colleagues, and community members.
• Knowledge and understanding of the school system rules, administrative procedures, local board policy, and state and federal rules and regulations.
• Possesses the physical and emotional stability to fulfill the contract period.

Essential Functions:

• Performs academic, therapeutic, and recreational tasks under the supervision of a certified special education teacher(s).
• Works with small groups of students to reinforce and to re-teach, when necessary, material initially introduced by the teacher(s).
• Works with individual students who need special attention.
• Assists in the guidance of independent study, enrichment work, remedial help, and follow-up work as specified by the teacher(s).
• Assists with routine classroom clerical and housekeeping duties.
• Assists with the preparation of instructional aids, bulletin boards and other learning displays.
• Assists with non-instructional classroom duties such as snack, break, personal hygiene/ clothing needs, etc. as directed.
• Assists with the supervision of students during lunch periods, assemblies, physical education activities, off-campus excursions and testing.
• Maintains confidentiality of information as required by school policy.
• Maintains and exhibits a high level of ethical and professional standards as expected of all personnel.
• Participates in staff development activities and para-professional training as mandated by the State Department of Education.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the administration.
• This position will be subject to the Students First Act of 2011. Madison City Schools reserves the right to fill this position by transfer of a qualified applicant who is already employed by Madison City Schools.
• Under the Students First Act of 2011, no credit toward tenure or non-probationary status is earned in the initial school year of employment if the date of hire occurs after September 30.

Expected Employment: 187 days/8 hrs. (full year)

Evaluation: According to established Board policies and administrative procedures and guidelines.

Salary Range : According to Madison City Schools Salary Schedule (Salary based on employment for complete year). Up to 10 years experience will be counted for new employees who provide documentation of full-time experience in the area of concentration.

Position Type: Full-Time

Job Categories:

Special Education > General Special Education

Special Education > Special Education Assistant

Job Requirements

• Associate degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Treva Stewart , Principal
• Journey Middle
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]