Special Education Paraprofessional
Special Education 1:1 Paraprofessionals (Support Specialists)
DSST Public Schools (DSST) seeks Special Education 1:1 Paraprofessionals to join one of the leading charter school organizations in the nation. We serve 6-12th grade students across Denver and Aurora. Our mission is to transform urban public education by eliminating educational inequity and preparing all students for success in college and the 21st century.
We believe a diverse, equitable and inclusive team leads to innovation, which allows us to better support our students, families, and the community – regardless of background, experience, social and/or cultural identity. DSST aims to be an inclusive & equitable workplace by valuing race, gender, sexual orientation and all aspects of individual identities. When reading this job description, we hope you feel energized by what you see, feel and hear. If you believe you could bring passion and commitment to the role but aren't sure you meet every qualification, please apply! Above all, we are looking for people who believe in our mission to eliminate educational inequity.
Overview of Position
DSST Public Schools seeks Paraprofessionals with the potential for and a track-record of raising student achievement to join a team of educators dedicated to providing a rigorous college preparatory program to a diverse population*. The Special Education Paraprofessional supports the educational, behavioral, social-emotional, physical and daily living needs of middle and high school level students with disabilities in integrated, resource, self-contained and community settings. Assists in conducting testing and assessment, multimedia activities, record-keeping, computer operation, discipline, and other activities.
*Please visit our website to better understand the demographics of each of DSST’s campuses.
Work in the Classroom
- Assist with the implementation of accommodations and modifications for one student.
- Assist with the implementation of behavior intervention plans and positive behavior supports to support the behavioral needs within the classroom environment.
- Assist teacher in developing lesson plans, material preparation and collecting data for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and collect data related to academics and behavior.
- Maintain a learning environment that is structured, organized, and routine-oriented with a variety of instructional formats.
- Assist the general education teacher with students that might need extra support with learning skills within the classroom environment.
- Exhibit clear communication skills to provide support and strategies to the center program team and school community by modeling and accepting on-going feedback.
- Communicate daily with families.
- Maintain confidentiality with student records and ensure that information regarding students is shared at appropriate times.
- Facilitate interactions between students and staff and students and their peers.
Curriculum and Assessment
- Assist with a variety of assessments that measure progress towards learning outcomes and behaviors that are needed to be successful in the general education environment.
- Provide extended time to students for assessments.
- Assist in the implementation of skill replacement curriculum that is focused on successful steps to inclusion, behavior skill development, social-communication strategies to facilitate engagement in the general education classroom, and other extra-curricular activities.
Professional Development
- Reflect and seek to improve learning and development.
- Participate in the school’s professional development programs including principles and procedures in Applied Behavior Analysis, development of Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention plans, and social cognition and executive function skills.
- Lead and participate in best practice sessions and peer coaching.
- Attend conferences.
Additional Duties:
School Life
- Model, live, and reinforce DSSTs commitment to educational equity and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as core to our mission.
- Support the school’s core values and policies inside and outside the classroom with colleagues, students, parents, and the larger community.
- Reinforce the values of the individual Human Condition inside and outside the classroom with colleagues, students, parents and the larger community.
- Serve as a recruiter for new students; actively engage prospective families in an effort to draw more students to choose your school; be willing to take on additional tasks to support recruitment, as needed
- Student Advisor
- Serve as an advisor to a small group of advisees by overseeing their academic and student life
- Leading weekly Advisory activities and lessons
- Taking attendance & checking homework completion
- Holding regular academic and behavioral conferences
- Meeting & communicating with families regularly
- If applicable, leading reading and culture circles
Grade level teammate
- Participate in weekly meetings to support student culture and academics for the whole grade.
- Participate in data tracking and observations for students via Multi-tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS)
- Participate in planning and execution of grade level events.
Weekly Staff Meetings
- Participate in weekly whole school staff meetings to support school culture and teacher initiatives
- Participate in planning and proctoring extra teacher responsibilities throughout the week, as needed
- Lunch Duty, Morning Duty, After School Duty, Enrichment, Academic Interventions (College Prep, Mandatory Tutoring), Hallway duty, etc.
- Behavioral Support Intervention (depending on campus)
- Refocus, silent lunch, core values point system, etc.
- Support as a substitute teacher if necessary
**there may be additional duties depending on the DSST campus**
Job Requirements
Special Education Paraprofessionals must have a GED or high school diploma along with one of the two options below to show qualifications for the role:
At least 48 semester hours at accredited college or university (an Associate's or Bachelor's degree will suffice), or Passed the ACT - Work Keys OR ETS - ParaPro Assessment
Commitments:
Commitment to Equity
- We believe that if we actively commit to equitable and inclusive practices aligned to our mission and values, our students and staff will achieve at high levels.
Commitment to Continuous Growth
- We believe that if we foster our own growth mindsets, our students and staff will develop a commitment to continuous improvement and thus maximize their potential.
Commitment to Healthy Team
- We believe that if we commit to modeling and fostering healthy teams, our students and staff will achieve a collective success that surpasses that of the individuals
Drives to Results
- We believe if we strategically develop systems and people with a driven sense of urgency and focus on results, our students and staff will achieve ambitious goals.
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: School Director
Compensation and Benefits:
Starting salary for this position will begin at $30,000 and is commensurate with experience*
*Final salary may be adjusted based on years of experience in a relevant, aligned role of similar level and responsibilities up to 6 years of experience.
DSST Public Schools is committed to providing our staff with benefit offerings that empower each of our employees to make the choices that best meet their individualized and personal needs while also keeping cost in mind.
DSST Benefit highlights include:
· Medical Plans offered through Aetna
· Annual Health Savings account (HSA) gift from DSST Public Schools
· 2 Dental Plans options offered through Aetna Insurance and Vision through the Eyemed network
· Employee Assistance and Counseling Support
· 401(k) retirement plan with 5% annual gift from DSST regardless of personal contribution
· Access to additional discounts through our benefit partners exclusively for DSST staff
· Paid leave beginning day one
*Candidates placed in Aurora Science & Tech. will be eligible for a PERA Retirement Plan
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
DSST Public Schools proudly values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Denver School of Science and Technology does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, ethnicity, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. (Protected Classes).
DSST Public Schools does not unlawfully discriminate against a member of a Protected Class in admission or access to, or terms and conditions of employment, or in its programs and activities. DSST Public Schools shall operate as an equal opportunity employer and will provide and safeguard the opportunity for all persons to seek, obtain, hold and advance in employment within the district without discrimination. The District shall actively promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a positive, aggressive, continuing affirmative action program.
Further, DSST Public Schools affirms the rights of all Protected Classes to be free from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm and/or harassment.
DSST Public Schools shall inform students, parents, employees and the general public each school year that the educational programs, activities and employment opportunities offered by the district are offered without regard to ethnicity, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. The announcement shall also include the name/title, address and telephone number of the person designated to coordinate Title IX and Section 504 and ADA compliance activities.
Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact the Assistant Superintendent or Human Resources.
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DSST Public Schools Overview:
DSST Public Schools (DSST) operates a network of tuition-free, open-enrollment public STEM charter schools. DSST schools operate within the Denver Public Schools (DPS) and Aurora Public Schools (APS) districts. Our schools focus on building a community where students and staff are valued for their unique talents. Meaningful relationships are at the core of our model which is why our schools are small enough so that every student is known and valued for their individuality. We have developed systems and structures to ensure our students will be prepared for college, career and life. The student population across the DSST network is 84% students of color and 71% qualify for free and reduced lunch. This year, DSST will serve approximately 6,000 students at fifteen schools on nine campuses across Denver and Aurora.
DSST Public Schools employees support each other not only to have fulfilling careers, but more importantly, to lead fulfilling lives that combines deeply meaningful professional work with personal well-being. Our core values are central to our program and to our results. These values are embedded in everything that we do and how we do it, both for our students and our staff. The six DSST core values are:
Respect - We appreciate each person and their story through our words, actions, and attitudes. We value their unique perspective and treat others with dignity.
Responsibility - We acknowledge that our actions and choices impact ourselves and our community. We take ownership for what we do and how we choose to do it.
Integrity - We act and speak with honesty, fairness, and thoughtfulness. We consistently align our words and actions.
Courage - We possess the confidence and resolve to take risks, push ourselves, and persevere in the face of pressure, adversity or unfamiliar circumstances.
Curiosity - We are eager to learn, questions, and explore. We have a thirst for knowledge, a love of investigation, and a desire to learn about ourselves, our community, and our world.
Doing Your Best - We put our best effort into everything we do. We know that individual and collective effort are required for our community to thrive.