Special Needs Para - Individual Support

Future School; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Future School in Fort Smith, Arkansas is seeking a Special Needs Para to provide one-on-one or small-group instruction under a certified teacher, supporting diverse high school students. You will work to empower students to access life and career opportunities while building their professional network.

We expect dedication to student-centered learning and adherence to school guidelines. This role includes assisting with daily schedules, lunchroom duties, and transport support as needed, with a

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Two years of college or an associate degree or higher.
• Able to work effectively with special needs students.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one or small-group instruction under a certified teacher.
• Implement behavior management techniques as directed by teacher/building principal.
• Complete daily work schedules as assigned by the teacher/principal.
• Assist the teacher with classroom maintenance and organization.
• Assist with lunchroom, recess, and bus duties.
• Be aware of and adhere to Board of Education policies and school guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Ability to work with special needs

Teamwork

Time management

Organizational skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Two years of college / associate degree

Job description

Special Needs Para - Individual Support

Future School of Fort Smith Future School - Fort Smith, Arkansas Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Future School of Fort Smith

Job Details

Job ID: 5935358
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Sep 22, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Do you believe in an educational process that supports diverse high school students in finding and nurturing their gifts and passions? Would you like to empower students to explore and examine their lives and the world around them in a deep and critical way? Are you inspired and organized to support students as they access life and career opportunities while building their professional network?

Working at Future School is not a job, it is a vocation and an opportunity to join our movement. In selecting candidates for employment here, we look not only for exceptional talent and expertise as educational leaders, but also for a high level of commitment and eagerness to learn. In return, Future School provides professional growth opportunities; deep, meaningful, and rewarding work; and competitive salaries and benefits packages.

At Future School, our team works together to develop active learning opportunities for our students. We care about each other’s success, our students’ experience, and work hard to constantly innovate. We are committed to our students and, through that experience, contribute to progressive secondary school transformation efforts across the country. If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out our website ( www.fsfuture.org ) to get a better feel for our unique professional learning community. We’ll be honest; Future School isn’t for everybody. If you believe students need to be “taught lessons,” you think instructors should focus on managing behaviors, or that students are “broken” and they need to be fixed, we’re not for you. If you are looking for a job rather than a lifestyle, you won’t fit here. But if you’ve got boundless energy, an inherent trust in the limitless ability of students, an eagerness to challenge how we think about education, a deep desire to work on both school wide initiatives and with individual students, and you have ambitions to impact secondary education nationally, we want to hear from you.

At Future School, we have a selective recruitment process because we expect our team (advisors/teachers, administrators and staff) to make dramatic, measurable gains not just in student achievement, but in each student’s life. The challenges that today’s high-school student faces are enormous and very personal. That’s why we focus on educating one student at time. And that’s why we seek candidates whose philosophy and real-life experiences match nine important hiring principles, which include:

• Strong team & time management and organizational skills
• A belief that students should be at the center of their own learning
• College-ready expectations for all students
• The ability to build deep relationships with students and peers
• Strong convictions for your own personal and professional beliefs
• The pursuit of a variety of interests beyond education
• The ability to lead, influence, and motivate others
• A track record of resourcefulness and being solution-oriented
• Demonstrate ambition and longevity in personal and professional pursuits

Team Member Qualifications

• High School diploma/GED
• Completed two (2) years of study at an institution of higher education or obtained an associate’s degree (or higher) or passed a paraprofessional academic assessment test.
• Ability to work with special needs students

Specific Job Duties for Special Needs Para

• Provide one on one instruction or group instruction under the supervision of a certified teacher.
• Implement behavior management techniques as directed by teacher/building principal.
• Complete daily work schedules as assigned by the teacher/principal.
• Assist the teacher with the maintenance of the classroom.
• Assist with duties such as the lunchroom, recess, buses for the student(s).
• Be aware of Board of Education policies, district and school guidelines, and regulations and adhere to the same.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

*30-40 hours/week *

At Future School, you’ll find:

A dedicated staff : Our advisors are committed to the personal growth and professional development of their colleagues; they also know their students well and coach them across a wide range of subjects. Future School is a mission and vision driven organization and it shows in the dedication and commitment of our staff.

Deeply personalized learning : Every student has a unique, project-based curriculum that is determined by his or her interests, needs, and learning style. Assessment includes student exhibitions and extensive teacher narratives.

A diverse teaching and learning environmen t: Students and teachers have highly diverse cultural and academic backgrounds.

Real influence : Our advisors are at the center of important school decisions and have outstanding opportunities to develop their professional governance skills.

Qualified candidates may be invited to a series of interviews with our hiring committee as well as hands‑on activities to determine a fit with our culture.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team!

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $15 Per Hour
Job Categories:

Special Education > Special Education Assistant

Job Requirements

• At least 2 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.

Contact Information