EdPost

Special Education Paraprofessional

Organizational Description

Community School of Excellence (CSE) is a Pre-Kindergarten to 12th  grade Hmong Language and Culture Charter school that is a family. Our schools offer an environment where students feel safe, welcomed, and cared for while learning and preparing for their future. We believe in academic success for all students. We are a PBIS school that focuses on positivity. We continuously learn about and celebrate each other’s cultures, languages, and achievements while providing a world-class education through a safe and innovative environment that fosters inquiring, critical thinking, knowledgeable, and compassionate students who embrace the Hmong culture and celebrate intercultural understanding and respect.

Culture of Learning

CSE believes that every scholar has the right to learn, be engaged, and grow in a healthy school environment. We embrace every scholar’s strengths and explore ways to strengthen our relationships with our scholars and their families. CSE is committed to building collaborative leadership and effective capacity between and among staff, parents, and scholars. All CSE employees must share, understand, and implement a culture of learning at all levels of the organization. Our consistent focus on a culture of learning is paramount to the growth and success of our students. CSE seeks individuals who will optimistically and confidently abide by this culture of learning. 

The core values that drive this new culture of learning are:

1. Aiming for High Academic Achievement

2. Embracing Cultural Pride and Identity

3. Modeling the Excellent Way of respect, responsibility, and reflection. 

4. Implementing Data Driven Decisions

5. Having High Expectations

6. Creating a safe Social-Emotional Learning Environment

Job Summary

Under the direction of the principal, this position works extensively with small groups of students to help them improve specific reading and math concepts & skills.  This person may also substitute for teachers when the teachers are absent. This person will be assigned specifically to the Special Education department to support students.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct instruction to students identified as eligible for reading and/or math services in individual, and/or small group settings.

• Uses identified needs to guide the learning process toward student achievement of school’s reading and math content standards.

• Uses a variety of reading and math materials to support content standards and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.

• Promotes an environment and program of study that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.

• Assists the implementation of all policies and rules governing student life and conduct in a fair and just manner.

• Builds rapport and becomes familiar with students through daily interaction

• Assists students on a regular basis and provides progress reports/data as required.

• Able to use conversational Hmong for communicating with families, such as conferences, phone calls home for reminders, and as needed

• Knowledge of Hmong culture and issues facing Southeast Asian communities, especially Hmong families

• Commitment to building the strengths of immigrant/refugee families

• Experience and aptitude working with children

• Patient with the ability to calmly and clearly communicate with students, staff, and parents

• Demonstrates multi-cultural experience and ability to communicate with limited English speakers

• Demonstrates superior judgment in all aspects of work

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also being a strong team player

• Familiarity and comfort with electronic forms of communication

• Ability to multi-task and handle high volume of interruptions

• Ability to meet deadlines and hold oneself accountable to meeting deadlines

• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor

• Assist with transportation as assigned.

• Support Special Education case manager or case worker with the Special Education department to support students with specific IEP needs

Qualifications

• AA degree; preferred BA degree

• Prefer experience in reading and/or math instruction.

• If neither an AA or BA is completed, a paraprofessional certification course is required to be completed and passed within the first month of employment.