Bilingual Paraprofessional

Company Description

KIPP — the largest nonprofit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools in the nation—has demonstrated, at scale, that all children have the potential to excel academically regardless of race or zip code. KIPP Public Schools is a network of 279 schools with more than 16,000 educators and 210,000 students and alumni , including Indianapolis. KIPP Indy Public Schools (KIPP Indy) was founded in 2004 with one class of fifth-grade students and has grown to serve 1,500 students across three schools. Of the students that attend KIPP Indy, 93% qualify for free and reduced lunch, 95% are African American or LatinX, 12% receive special education services, and 8% are designated as Emerging Bilinguals. As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to create joyful, academically excellent schools in which teachers, students, and families are all united around the same goal of preparing students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond— so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world.

VISION
At KIPP Indy Public Schools, we envision a future without limits for every student, where joy and academic excellence come together to empower individuals to pursue their passions—be it college, career, or beyond. We recognize the unique gifts each child brings to our community and strive to cultivate their talent, perspective, and drive. Our schools—KIPP Indy Unite Elementary, KIPP Indy College Prep Middle, and KIPP Indy Legacy High—work collaboratively with families and the community to create a nurturing environment that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for learning.

We are committed to leading with integrity and maintaining high expectations for all, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported in their journey. By providing access to essential resources, including college and career counseling, we prepare our students not just for academic success but for fulfilling lives as engaged citizens. Our values of community, integrity, teamwork, continuous growth, and high expectations guide our efforts to build a more just world. Together, we empower students to recognize their potential and equip them with the skills and confidence to create vibrant futures for themselves and their communities.

Position Summary

The Bilingual Paraprofessional supports multilingual learners (MLs) and their families by providing direct instructional support in the classroom, facilitating communication between home and school, and helping ensure equitable access to instruction for students who are developing English proficiency. This role works under the supervision of ML staff and classroom teachers to reinforce content instruction, support English Language Development (ELD) goals, and serve as a cultural and linguistic bridge for students and families. This position is critical to KIPP Indy's mission of building a culture where every multilingual learner is known, supported, and set up to thrive academically. The role we are currently hiring for is the high school.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide in-classroom instructional support to multilingual learners under the direction of the classroom teacher and ML staff, reinforcing content-area instruction in students' home language and English as appropriate.
• Support small-group and one-on-one instruction for MLs, including pre-teaching vocabulary, clarifying directions, and reinforcing ELD strategies aligned to WIDA standards.
• Serve as an interpreter/translator for parent-teacher conferences, IEP and ILP meetings, disciplinary conversations, and other school communications, ensuring accurate and confidential interpretation.
• Translate written communications (newsletters, report cards, enrollment materials, permission forms) from English into the target language and vice versa.
• Assist with the administration of WIDA ACCESS testing and other ML-related assessments as needed, following all testing protocols.
• Support family engagement by contacting families regarding attendance, academic progress, and school events, and by helping families navigate school systems and resources.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and family information in accordance with FERPA and district policy.
• Assist ML staff with maintaining accurate student records, including Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and caseload documentation.
• Model culturally responsive practices and help foster a classroom and school culture that affirms students' home languages and cultures.
• Participate in professional development related to SIOP, co-teaching, and multilingual learner instruction.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the ML program and overall school operations.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree or equivalent college credits or work experience preferred.
• Bilingual fluency (verbal and written) in English and the target Spanish
• Ability to pass a criminal background check per state and district requirements.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with students, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred:

• Prior experience working with multilingual learners or in a bilingual/dual-language setting.
• Familiarity with WIDA proficiency levels and English Language Development strategies.
• Experience in a school or educational environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in both English and Spanish, in both academic and everyday registers.
• Strong understanding of, and sensitivity to, the cultural backgrounds of the students and families served.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality, particularly when interpreting in sensitive situations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when managing translated documents and records.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work as part of an instructional team under teacher and ML staff direction.
• Commitment to KIPP Indy's mission and belief in the potential of every multilingual learner.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around a classroom for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds (instructional materials, supplies).
• Regular and reliable attendance in accordance with the school calendar.

COMPENSATION

Compensation is commensurate with experience and aligned to the KIPP Indy paraprofessional pay scale. KIPP Indy offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan options, and paid time off consistent with district policy.

KIPP Indy Public Schools are an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.