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Start Your Online Application Now Educational Assistant This position will be for the 2026/2027 School Year ABOUT HOPE COMMUNITY ACADEMY HOPE Community Academy is an accredited, public co-educational charter school comprising primary, intermediate, middle school, and high school levels. The entire school community seeks to provide a safe and trusting learning environment where each student is valued and challenged to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Mission: To inspire students to achieve high academic success while embracing Hmong language and culture. Vision: To be a public school of excellence, with high quality staff, diverse programs, and successful students. Culture statement reflects who we are: HOPE is a safe space where all feel valued, empowered, and inspired. Learning at HOPE promotes cultural appreciation, character, and lifelong growth. Our scholars leave ready to lead with purpose and contribute to their community. HOPE''s Values: High-Impact; Scholar-Focused; Sense of Belonging; Leadership; and Joyful Excellence. Our work for the next two years is illustrated in our 2026-2028 Strategic plan focused on four priorities - Radical Growth, Stabilizing Operational Systems, Being Data-Centered, and Building Community Impact. All employees are expected to operate with high impact to continue improving the experiences of HOPE''s community. Position Title: Educational Assistant Salary Range: $16.19 ? $26.62 per hour Reports To: Educational Leader / Educational Assistant Lead Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time | Hours align with the school day Contract Type: School year contract Schedule follows the school calendar including breaks and holidays. About this role: At HOPE, we believe that the adults closest to our scholars matter just as much as the ones standing at the front of the room. The Educational Assistant is not a background role ? it is one of the most essential, relationship-rich, and impactful positions in the building. Every day, our Educational Assistants are the people who sit beside a scholar who is struggling, redirect a child who is dysregulated, reinforce a lesson that did not land the first time, and offer the kind of patient, consistent, one-more-time support that makes the difference between a scholar giving up and a scholar trying again. The Educational Assistant at HOPE works directly alongside classroom teachers to support instruction, reinforce learning, and ensure that every scholar in the classroom has the support they need to access the curriculum and participate meaningfully in the learning community. This role may involve working across multiple classrooms, supporting small group instruction, assisting with classroom management, and providing individual support to scholars who need additional help. Educational Assistants at HOPE are not aides who sit and observe ? they are active, engaged members of the instructional team who make a direct and daily impact on scholar outcomes. This role directly supports HOPE''s Radical Growth and Scholar Impact strategic priorities ? because the scholars who need the most support often depend on the Educational Assistants who are with them throughout the day. The ideal Educational Assistant is someone who genuinely loves working with young people, brings patience and consistency to every interaction, and understands that the work they do is not small ? it is foundational to everything HOPE is building. Primary Duties: Promoting Independence & Self-Advocacy. Support the scholar in developing independence, self-regulation, and self-advocacy skills. Use a gradual release approach ? providing support when needed and stepping back when the scholar is ready to work independently. Avoid creating learned helplessness by encouraging the scholar to attempt tasks on their own before offering assistance. Help the scholar develop the confidence and skills to communicate their own needs, ask for help appropriately, and navigate the school environment with increasing autonomy. Behavioral Support & De-Escalation. Support the scholar with behavioral regulation and social-emotional needs as outlined in their IEP or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Use proactive strategies, positive reinforcement, and de-escalation techniques to help the scholar manage challenging moments. Implement behavior support plans with fidelity and consistency, documenting behavioral data as directed by the SPED Teacher. Partner with the Impact Coach and classroom teacher when additional behavioral support or intervention is needed. Classroom Integration & Inclusion. Support the scholar''s meaningful inclusion and participation in the general education classroom alongside their peers. Help the scholar engage in group activities, classroom discussions, and collaborative learning experiences. Work to ensure that the scholar is treated as a full member of the classroom community ? not as separate from it. Collaborate with the classroom teacher to ensure that accommodations and supports are implemented seamlessly and do not unintentionally isolate the scholar from their peers. Communication & Collaboration with the SPED Team. Communicate regularly with the SPED Teacher, SPED Coordinator, and classroom teacher about the scholar''s progress, challenges, and needs. Participate in IEP meetings, team check-ins, and SPED department meetings as requested. Share observations and data that inform IEP goal tracking and instructional adjustments. Maintain a collaborative, team-oriented approach to supporting the scholar across all settings. Data Collection & Progress Monitoring. Collect accurate and timely behavioral, academic, and functional data as directed by the SPED Teacher. Track scholar progress toward IEP goals using designated data collection tools and methods. Maintain organized, confidential records and submit data to the SPED Teacher on the agreed-upon schedule. Understand that data collection is not just paperwork ? it is the information that drives decisions about the scholar''s program and services. Safety, Supervision & Personal Care. Ensure the safety and wellbeing of the assigned scholar at all times, including during transitions, lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and any off-campus activities. Depending on the scholar''s needs, this may include assistance with personal care tasks such as toileting, feeding, mobility, or health-related needs as outlined in the IEP. Handle all personal care responsibilities with the utmost respect, dignity, and confidentiality. Culturally Responsive Support. Approach the scholar and their family with cultural humility, warmth, and respect. Understand that disability is experienced and understood differently across cultures, and be sensitive to how the scholar''s family may view their child''s needs, services, and school-based support. Build a trusting relationship with the family and serve as a positive bridge between home and school. Contribute to a classroom and school environment that reflects and celebrates the identities of HOPE''s Hmong and Karen scholar community. Professional Responsibilities & School Community Involvement. Fulfill all professional responsibilities including punctual attendance, adherence to school policies and SPED compliance requirements, and participation in school-wide events and initiatives. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the scholar''s disability, IEP, behavioral information, and family circumstances at all times. Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and joyful school culture. Each staff member will participate in at least three or more school events throughout the school year. Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate''s degree or 60+ college credits preferred; candidates currently pursuing a degree in Education or a related field are encouraged to apply. Previous experience working with children in a school, childcare, tutoring, mentoring, or youth development setting preferred. Ability to work effectively with scholars across a range of ages, abilities, and backgrounds, including English Learners and scholars with IEPs. Strong interpersonal skills and a genuine love of working with young people. Patience, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm and supportive in challenging situations. Ability to follow directions from classroom teachers and school staff while also exercising good judgment and initiative when appropriate. Basic proficiency in technology including email, Google Workspace, and educational software. Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding scholar records, behavioral information, and sensitive family situations. Experience working with or in Hmong and/or other diverse communities is strongly preferred; proficiency in Hmong is a significant asset. Deep commitment to HOPE''s mission, values, and strategic priorities. Ability to interact effectively with scholars, families, and staff of diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift as needed throughout the school day; ability to keep pace with active scholars in a dynamic school environment. Work Environment Duties are performed across the school building, including general education classrooms, special education resource rooms, hallways, the cafeteria, gymnasium, playground, and other school spaces. The school building is a multi-level building that has an elevator and is accessible. This role requires close, sustained proximity to a single scholar throughout the school day and demands a high degree of focus, patience, and emotional stamina. The Educational Assistant must be comfortable in a variety of settings and prepared to support the scholars through every part of the school day ? from structured academic instruction to unstructured social time. Some school events may occasionally require time outside of regular school hours. This role involves regular exposure to challenging behaviors and requires the physical and emotional capacity to respond with care, consistency, and professionalism. Note: Nothing in this job description restricts school''s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. It does not alter the "at will" employment relationship between the school and the employee. EEO Statement: Hope Community Academy is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are valued, respected, and have equal opportunities for advancement. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status Hope Community Academy (District) uses the applicant tracking system from Frontline Education to manage employment applications online