Special Education Paraprofessional (26-27)

JOB DESCRIPTION:
About The Role: Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP Texas Public Schools plays a critical role in ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for their students and their families, working tirelessly to ensure that our students have access to opportunity. In our classrooms and across the KIPP family we embrace, honor and celebrate our differences across several characteristics that construct our unique identities in our little and big KIPPsters. We are especially committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences of our students because we believe the best work we do is grounded in the realities and experiences of our families and KIPPsters.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:
● Work with students in instructional and classroom activities at the direction of the special education and/or general education teacher
● Assist with direct academic, functional and/or specifically designed instructional or physical activities
● Tutor individual students and help them prepare assignments or explain material they do not understand
● Supervise and accompany special education students to the office, bus, classroom, cafeteria, etc.
● Communicate regularly with classroom teacher and parents regarding student’s needs and progress
● Some positions may require the employee to be able to restrain, hold, lift, apply physical management techniques, and crisis intervention techniques for students demonstrating severely disruptive behavior or
aggressive outbursts
● Provide direct support in developing and maintaining essential daily living, self-care skills, and/or mobility
needs, as outlined in their individualized plans (e.g., IEP or care plan)
● Provide clerical support to teachers which may include, but is not limited to, creating photocopies, preparing materials, etc.
● Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Education and Experience:
● The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), that LEAs continue to ensure that instructional aides performing instructional duties on a Title I, Part A School-wide served campus, or those that have at least part of their salary paid for by Title I, Part A on a
Targeted Assistance campus, meet the Instructional Aides Highly Qualified requirements. Highly Qualified Instructional Aide must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and meet one of the following requirements:
○ Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (defined as completion of 48 semester hours or equivalent trimester hours) of college coursework or an applicable number of semester hours as defined by the institution of higher education attended, whichever is less.
○ Possess an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
○ Meet a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment–

● Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

COMPETENCY AND SKILLS:
● Unwavering commitment to the KIPP Texas mission, core values and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of KIPP Texas students, families, and staff
● Bilingual; English & Spanish required
● Sense of humility, customer service mindset, and shows urgency and the ability to proactively solve problems and make decisions quickly
● Strong communication and time management skills; ability to effectively backwards plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to detail, and deliver consistent and timely results
● Team player with strong interpersonal and stakeholder management and relationship building skills
● Ability to be calm under pressure, especially in difficult conversations with parents and staff
● Desire to continuously learn and evolve as a professional

Physical Requirements:
● The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.
● The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region.

Additional Requirements:
● Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses
● Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
● Work with frequent interruptions.

Work Environment:
● Reports to school site Monday-Friday.
● Typical school environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements:
● Minimal travel; may travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning or meetings.

Additional Information

What We Bring to the Table:
● Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.
● Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
● Paid family leave.
● Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.
● Employee assistance programs.
● KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.

EEO:
KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job duties. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

About the Company

***Job Status: Please note that this is a general posting for current and potential future opportunities. At this time, there may or may not be a vacancy. We are collecting applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply. Your application will be reviewed and considered for any opportunity that matches your skills and experience. Please be aware that you may not receive communication regarding next steps until an aligned opportunity becomes available. We appreciate your interest in the role and KIPP Texas.***

About KIPP Texas Public Schools
KIPP Texas Public Schools is a free, public charter school network with more than 45 Pre-K - 12 schools across Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. With over 30 years in Texas, we work together with our families and communities to prepare students for college, career, and beyond! Our schools provide a high-quality, well-rounded education built on academic success and personal growth, where all students learn and thrive in a productive, safe, and joyful way!

As one of the earliest charter networks in Texas—founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018—we hire dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join a Team and Family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in academic success and joy. 

If you are passionate about joining a mission-driven community that wants every child to "run to school," the KIPP Texas Team and Family is for you! KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.