Special Education Paraprofessional

BACKGROUND

NorthStar Public Schools Overview

NorthStar Public Schools (Formerly KIPP MN Public Schools) is a one-of-a-kind school committed to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment where our K-8 students thrive academically, build skills and positive traits, and recognize their full potential. 

With our focus on Business & Finance, we give our students a unique advantage to prepare them for successful future endeavors. Business and financial literacy are essential skills that span across all career pathways, empowering students to make informed decisions, achieve financial independence, and thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Who We Are: NorthStar Public Schools is a community-based public charter school that provides free education to approximately 250 students in grades K-8 in North Minneapolis. With a majority of our student body identifying as BIPOC and qualifying for Free or Reduced Priced Lunch, our school community is passionate and dedicated to narrowing academic achievement gaps prevalent in BIPOC communities, as well as providing wrap-around services for our school community.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

NorthStar Public Schools is seeking a mission driven paraprofessional to join our team! The  Special Education Paraprofessional's primary duties include assisting our Teachers with classroom lessons, activities, organization management, supervising students, and providing students with a positive and nurturing guide. The Paraprofessional will deal with students, parents, staff, and the community in a professional manner, and follow and uphold school rules and standards.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Co-teaching lessons under the Teacher's guidance, leading small groups or individual instruction and discussions, and reviewing classwork.

• Organizing the classroom and teaching materials, monitoring the classroom during lessons, and minimizing distractions and disruptions.

• Supervising students in and out of the classroom.

• Attend to students' physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs.

• Helping Teachers and students with extracurricular activities and school functions.

• Performing clerical duties, such as tracking student attendance, typing, filing, photocopying, and grading tests and homework.

• Ensuring the upkeep of educational materials, equipment, and supplies.

• Tracking students' progress and preparing reports for the parents.

• Assisting Teachers in counseling parents on the requirements and development of their children.

Professional Responsibility

• Supports the mission and values of the school
• Supports the programs and priorities of the department and school
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with faculty, students, and parents
• Maintains confidentiality
• Demonstrates professional behavior
• Seeks and develops opportunities for professional growth
• Mandatorily attends and participates in required meetings, school events, and committee work (including evenings and weekends as necessary)
• Participates in the arrival and dismissal of students daily with assigned tasks and responsibilities
• Performs bus duties for the safety of students daily with assigned tasks and responsibilities
• Monitors hallways between classroom duties to establish safety and clear expectations of student behaviors in the hallways
• Home visits to students/families' homes twice per school year
• Performs duties as required/requested

DESIRED EXPERIENCE 

Required 

• Must be highly qualified and be able to provide supporting documentation; (having 1 of the 4 items listed below:
  • Completed two years of study (equaling 60 or more credit hours) from an accredited institution of higher education (Transcripts)
  • An Associate's degree or higher (Transcript)
  • Obtained a passing score on the MN-approved assessment, ParaPro test or ParaEducator, which measures math and reading skills (Certificate)
  • Special Education Paraprofessional experience (Verifiable School reference)
• Willingness to work with and show respect for students with special needs.
• Able to work independently.
• Demonstrated communication skills, patience, and flexibility.
• Experience with special education students including EBD, LD, and MMH
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to follow the teacher's plan and direction, and communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents.

Highly Preferred 

• Basic child development educational background or knowledge preferred.
• Experience working in historica

COMPENSATION

Salary: $33,660+

*To establish equitable salary practices, the compensation package is derived from the Regional NorthStar Public Schools pay scale and benefits package, which includes medical, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits, as well as an annual salary review and revision.