Student Support/ Paraprofessional

Phoenix Charter Academy Network; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Mental health support

Wellness plans

403(b)

Longevity bonus

Pet insurance

Job summary

Phoenix Charter Academy Network in Massachusetts is seeking a qualified paraprofessional to support classrooms, work with students in groups and individually, assist with lesson plans and materials, and help with grading and progress reports. The role pairs with an assigned staff member to ensure high-quality learning experiences.

The ideal candidate has prior experience, is caring and adaptable, and committed to student success, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Requires prior experience working with students.
• Ability to adapt to changing classroom demands.
• Strong communication and collaboration with staff.

Responsibilities

• Work with students in groups and individually during lessons.
• Assist with lesson plans and materials.
• Grade homework and write progress reports.
• Support assigned staff member in duties.
• Provide data-driven progress monitoring and reporting.

Skills

Active listening

Student support

Collaboration

Adaptability

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

The Opportunity

At Phoenix Charter Academy, we pride ourselves on giving students a vibrant learning experience in a welcoming environment. Our community counts on paraprofessionals to bring the best to the classroom every day. We’re searching for a qualified paraprofessional to join us in delivering high-quality learning experiences. The ideal candidate has prior experience in this role and is flexible to adapt to the changing nature of the demands of the class. He or she will work closely with an assigned staff member and support them in their duties. Typical tasks include working with students in groups and individually during lessons, assisting with lesson plans and materials, grading homework, and writing progress reports. The thriving paraprofessional is caring, compassionate, and committed to each student’s success.

Who We Are

Phoenix Charter Academy aims to show the world what all young people can do, and to defy the limitations of societal assumptions, classism, and racism. Founded on the unwavering belief that all students can succeed at high levels, we support our students with individually tailored and academically rigorous curricula and push them to succeed at the highest levels by providing the resources and mentoring needed to reach their full potential.

Why Our Work is Important

Students across America are dropping out of high school at an alarming rate. Dropping out has a substantial impact on a young person’s life. Over the course of a lifetime, an individual who drops out is more likely to have reduced earning power, greater social service dependency, increased rates of criminal involvement, and shorter life expectancy. Phoenix Charter Academies addresses this trend by creating environments where students can demonstrate their talent and resilience and prepare themselves for success through high school, college, and beyond.

Commitment to DEI

At Phoenix, we recognize the importance of forming a school community inclusive of all visible and invisible identities. We act to ensure that our students and staff always see reflections of themselves and their communities. We aim to break down systemic barriers by providing access to resources, experiences, and differentiated supports for historically marginalized groups. We solicit, value, understand, connect, and leverage multiple perspectives and experiences. We invite all perspectives except those that perpetuate oppression or dehumanization. We do not just accept difference—we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our scholars and the communities we serve. Phoenix Charter Academy is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by law. We are committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.

Qualities of Phoenix Staff Member

• Unwavering belief in our students – Phoenix staff operate with the deeply held belief that all young people want to and can succeed even in the face of substantial systemic barriers and societal constraints.
• Continuous improvement – Phoenix staff approach problem solving with curiosity and a desire to understand the perspectives of others. They embody lifelong learning and strive for constant improvement.
• Eager to learn – Phoenix staff must be able to learn as they go in a fast‑paced, ever‑evolving, urgent environment. They have the desire to receive direct feedback and the ability to implement the feedback into practice quickly.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Phoenix staff commit to understanding the ways that their self‑identity and experiences impact and interact with their daily work, colleagues, and students, and work toward furthering initiatives that promote a more equitable society.

Your Contribution

Specific Responsibilities

• Moving Category I Student Progression Collaboration & Behavior Management
• Boosting Engagement & Motivation
  • Designed and implemented personalized incentive systems.
  • Cultivated strong, supportive relationships with chronically unmotivated students, using active listening and interest‑based learning to re‑engage them in classroom activities.
  • Leveraged student interests (sports, technology, gaming) to adapt standard lesson materials, making abstract concepts relevant and sparking renewed curiosity.
  • Targeted academic deficits by breaking down complex, multi‑step assignments into manageable tasks, helping struggling students overcome frustration and build momentum.
  • Monitored and recorded daily academic progress, using data‑driven insights to adjust intervention strategies and successfully move 85 % of assigned students to passing grades.
  • Facilitated small‑group and one‑on‑one review sessions, accelerating student comprehension and ensuring benchmarks were met before unit exams.
  • Collaborated closely with SST and IEP teams to consistently apply behavioral intervention plans (BIPs), resulting in a noticeable decrease in task‑avoidance behaviors.
  • Partnered with classroom teachers to proactively identify learning bottlenecks and co‑develop scaffolding techniques that kept at‑risk students moving forward with the class.
• Personalized & Timely Progress
  • Delivered targeted 1:1 interventions that accelerated student progression, moving learners back on track within an average 6‑to‑8‑week timeframe.
  • Accelerated academic pacing through intensive, personalized 1:1 support, enabling historically unmotivated students to master foundational skills and close learning gaps within 6–8 weeks.
  • Designed and executed short‑term, 1:1 intensive action plans that re‑engaged students and fast‑tracked course progression, averaging a complete turnaround in performance within 6 to 8 weeks.

Additional Responsibilities As Required

• Participate weekly in Scholar Success Team meetings and other cross‑school meetings as necessary.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to coordinate and support school programming.
• Classroom coverage based on the needs of the school.

What You’ll Bring

• Deep belief in the mission of Phoenix Charter Academy Network.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Proven experience working with students.
• Effective communication skills: oral, written, and visual with adults and children.
• Understanding of basic principles of childhood development.
• Familiarity with educational software or willingness to learn.
• Communicates effectively and efficiently using verbal, non‑verbal, and written skills; has knowledge and flexibility to communicate across lines of difference.
• Scholar orientation – works to deepen understanding of scholars and centers the needs of scholars in all aspects of the work.
• Adaptability – adjusts and strategically aligns work to the school's mission while navigating complex and changing environments internally and externally.
• Strong work ethic with ability to work independently and in a team environment.

What You’ll Get

Professional development, coaching, and the resources needed for you to succeed. An open, curious, and celebratory culture that embraces diversity as a leading asset and fosters equity and inclusion through affinity groups and continuous capacity building supported by our Racial, Justice, and Equity working group. Competitive market compensation, medical, dental, vision, mental health, wellness plans, a 403(b), and employee perks such as longevity bonus and pet insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any candidate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Phoenix Charter Academy is committed to making any reasonable accommodation necessary to support an individual's employment.

**The Network retains the right to modify this job description at any time, for any reason, at the Network’s sole discretion**