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Start Your Online Application Now Educational Assistant ? 1:1 Support This position will be for the 2026/2027 OUT 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 DETAILS Position Details Position Title: Educational Assistant ? 1:1 Support Salary Range: $17.00 ? $22.00 per hour Reports To: SPED Teacher / SPED Coordinator / 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 About this Role At HOPE, every scholar belongs. For some of our scholars, belonging requires a dedicated adult who walks alongside them throughout the school day ? not to do the work for them, but to make the work possible. The Educational Assistant ? 1:1 Support is one of the most intimate and impactful roles in the building. This person is assigned to a specific scholar who requires individualized support as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), and their job is to help that scholar access the curriculum, navigate the school environment, and participate in the learning community with as much independence and dignity as possible. The 1:1 Educational Assistant does not replace the teacher ? they extend the teacher''s reach. This role requires someone who can balance closeness with independence, providing the right amount of support without creating dependency. The best 1:1 EAs know when to step in and when to step back, when to scaffold and when to let the scholar struggle productively, and when to advocate fiercely and when to let the scholar find their own voice. It is nuanced, demanding, deeply personal work ? and it requires someone with extraordinary patience, genuine empathy, and an unwavering belief in the scholar they serve. This role directly supports HOPE''s Radical Growth, Scholar Impact, and Stabilize Operational Systems strategic priorities ? because scholars with IEPs deserve the same high-quality, culturally responsive educational experience as every other scholar at HOPE, and the 1:1 EA is often the person who makes that possible. HOPE''s strategic plan calls for strengthening SPED compliance, investing in co-teaching models, and building a robust MTSS process ? and the 1:1 Educational Assistant is on the front line of all of that work, ensuring that IEP services are delivered with fidelity and that every scholar''s right to a free, appropriate public education is honored every single day. PRIMARY DUTIES Primary Responsibilities 1:1 Scholar Support & IEP Implementation. Provide direct, individualized support to an assigned scholar throughout the school day as outlined in their IEP. Implement accommodations, modifications, and specially designed instruction strategies as directed by the SPED Teacher. Assist the scholar in accessing grade-level curriculum, completing assignments, and participating in classroom activities. Ensure all IEP-related services and supports are delivered consistently and with fidelity. 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 Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate''s degree, 60+ college credits, or ParaPro certification preferred; candidates currently pursuing a degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, or a related field are encouraged to apply. Previous experience working 1:1 with children or young adults with disabilities in a school, therapeutic, or community-based setting strongly preferred. Understanding of or willingness to learn about IEPs, Behavior Intervention Plans, and the role of the paraprofessional in special education service delivery. Experience with or willingness to be trained in de-escalation techniques, positive behavioral supports, and crisis intervention strategies. Extraordinary patience, empathy, and emotional regulation; ability to remain calm, consistent, and supportive during challenging behavioral or emotional moments. Understanding of the importance of promoting scholar independence rather than creating dependency; ability to balance support with autonomy. Ability to work effectively as part of a team, taking direction from SPED Teachers, classroom teachers, and school staff while exercising professional judgment. Comfort with personal care tasks if required by the scholar''s IEP, including toileting, feeding, and mobility assistance. Basic proficiency in technology including email, Google Workspace, and data collection tools. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding scholar records, disability 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 the belief that every scholar with a disability deserves access to a rigorous, inclusive, and culturally affirming education. Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and respond physically as needed throughout the school day; ability to support scholars with mobility or physical needs as required. 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 1:1 Educational Assistant must be comfortable in a variety of settings and prepared to support the scholar 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