Student Education RISE Paraprofessional - IDEA Victory College Prep

Role Mission

The Exceptional Student Education paraprofessional position is ideal for a candidate looking to gain valuable experience in Exceptional Student Education teaching. This position is also ideal for a candidate who has at least 30 college hours, wants challenging work, and the opportunity to advance in his or her education career.

IDEA Exceptional Student Education para‑professionals work with students with significant cognitive and/or pervasive developmental disabilities. The need for these students requires a functional curriculum focused on the acquisition of daily living and vocational skills leading to a successful transition to adult life within the community. These K‑12 classrooms provide instruction in practical academics, communication, community, domestic, leisure/recreation, and vocational skills utilizing a functional curriculum in a general education school building.

The classrooms emphasize communication, maximum independence, and opportunities to generalize skills in natural settings as well as participation in general education activities with typical peers. IDEA Exceptional Student Education paraprofessionals support the Exceptional Student RISE classroom in the Academy (K‑5) or College Prep (6‑12) as they work with students in lower student‑teacher ratios (often 1 to
3) to support their academic needs.

Compensation:

• Compensation for this role is set at an hourly rate ranging between $15.00 and $18.50.
• Hourly co‑teachers earnings are paid out over a 12‑month period.

Other Benefits:

• Paid Family Leave:
  Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement:
  Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer‑Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face‑to‑face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work‑life services available at no cost.

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and an employer‑paid 403(b) retirement matching of up to 4% of your annual compensation. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma Required OR High School Equivalency Diploma issued pursuant to State Board of Education rules required; an Associate degree OR at least 30 hours of college credit preferred.
• Experience:
  
  Experience working with children with cognitive and/or pervasive developmental disabilities strongly preferred.
• Licenses or
  
  Certifications:
  
  Willingness to pursue, or currently enrolled in program for a Special Education Paraprofessional Certification preferred but not required.

• Capable of physically assisting students with special needs as required (positioning, lifting, transferring, restraining).
• Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment.

• Assist in the educational and social development of students under the direction and guidance of the facilitator and classroom teachers.
• Assist in the implementation of Individual Education Plans for the students and monitor their progress.
• Provide support for individual students inside and outside of the classroom to enable them to fully participate in activities.
• Work with other professionals, such as speech therapist, social worker, occupational and physical therapists.
• Assist classroom teachers with maintaining student records.
• Support students with emotional or behavior concerns and assist them in developing appropriate social skills.
• Assistance of daily living may include feeding, lifting…