Middle School: Special Education, Aide - Boston (2026-2027)

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Our Mission

Together with our families and communities, we create joyful and identity-affirming schools where students achieve excellent and equitable academic outcomes. We believe doing this ensures that our students are prepared to pursue any path they choose — college, career, and beyond — so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our program is based on:

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.
• A high regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.
• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.
• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future.

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, Multilingual Learners (MLL), and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two “districts.” Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA.  Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more “campuses,” which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter.  Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 74% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 15% are Black, 3% are multiracial, 5% White, and 4% Asian. 

In Boston, KIPP Academy Boston (serving grades K-8) is under our Boston charter.  Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district K-8. 36% of our students in Boston are Hispanic, 59% are Black, 3% are multiracial, 1% are White, and 1% are American Indian or Alaskan Native.

Across both districts, we serve over 2,200 students. KIPP MA has a Regional Office, with teams such as Teaching and Learning, Talent and Operations, which supports both districts.

KIPP Foundation

KIPP Massachusetts partners with the KIPP Foundation, which is a non-profit national network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving elementary, middle and high school students. The KIPP Network has a 30+ year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life.

The KIPP Public Schools Network is made up of 278 K-12 schools, 28 regional support organizations, and the nonprofit KIPP Foundation. We are a national network with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni. Together, we continually raise the bar for teaching and learning, then ensure success in one classroom travels across our network to hundreds more. We believe that excellent academic, safe and structured schools, empowered teachers, an emphasis on character development and support through college and career are the foundation for student success, and we strive to provide this for every student.

All KIPP schools, whether they are in Massachusetts or in other states, are part of the free public school system in their respective states and enrollment is open to all students.  KIPP public charter schools are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to deliver high-quality academic results for students.

Job Description

Aide at KIPP Academy Boston Charter School

KIPP Academy Boston Charter School is looking for committed, compassionate, and culturally competent Aides who have the power to amplify our children’s potential by contributing to creating a school experience that affirms, values, and challenges students each day. KIPP Academy Boston Charter School Aides work with students who require additional support in order to be successful in the classroom. The Aide works collectively with teachers, school leaders, students, and family members to meet the needs of our students, ensuring their social and academic growth as they gain the skills needed to excel in school and beyond. Aides are crucial in the growth and success of the students on their caseload and work collaboratively with the Lead Teacher to ensure that all students engage in instruction at a level that is rigorous and accessible. Together, we seek to create a professional and authentic environment of joy, excellence, care, and community where educators make long term transformative outcomes for students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom Responsibilities

• Guide and assist individual students (1:1 support) and/or group of students with the requisite attention needed, which is separate from the general class

• Under the direction of the Lead Teacher and/or Supervisor, complement classroom instruction to help maximize the learning opportunities for students on a caseload including, but not limited to:

  • Assist classroom teachers in creating curriculum modifications for specific students

  • Provide support to Lead Teachers, Residents, and/or Fellows by carrying out lesson plans and assisting with learning materials

  • Provide testing accommodations, including supervising students completing tests in a separate location or during an extended time

  • Review and correct student work assignments

  • Assist in the implementation of behavioral intervention plans which may involve use of positive reinforcement strategies, behavior modification, and other skills or knowledge to ensure safety and success for individual students

  • Assist individual students with self-advocacy about particular needs while in the classroom

  • Facilitate and support social interactions and foster the development of positive relationships between students on the caseload and their peers and teachers

  • Constantly assess progress, communicate results clearly, and use data to inform decisions and set goals

• May physically assist with physical needs of students, as needed

School and Professional Responsibilities

• Obtain required requirements for an Aide within one year of hire, which includes one of the following:

  • Associate’s Degree OR

  • 48 college credit hours OR

  • Pass the ParaPro Assessment with a score of 464 with study resources and support from KIPP MA

• Provide aide coverage and support to other classrooms and grade levels as needed

• Be available for an extended workday, as needed, to support colleagues, students, and families outside of school hours

• Perform necessary support duties including, but not limited to, coverage, bus, lunch, and dismissal duties

• Collaborate with grade level teams to provide support, guidance, and advocacy concerning the students on the caseload

• Dependable attendance according to our school calendar 

Regional Responsibilities

• Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively

• Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

• Demonstrated ability to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make reasonable judgments and decisions in a timely manner in accordance with the needs of the school

• Self-awareness, flexibility and emotional intelligence to navigate a setting with students who express diverse needs

• The consistent use of interpersonal and self-management skills to effectively support behavioral and emotional needs of students to ensure a safe and inclusive environment, as well as build relationships and manage conflict with students, staff, and caregivers

• Effective communication skills to perform assigned duties and to meaningfully exchange information with students, staff, families and others in person, through written communication, in front of groups, and on virtual platforms

• Physical mobility to move self in various positions in order to execute duties effectively, which may include kneeling, walking, pushing/pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping and reaching overhead

• Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and/or carry 20 pounds of materials or supplies and to physically restrain a student to keep from harming themself and/or others in an emergency situation

• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment

KIPP MA aides are supported in their demanding work by experienced and dedicated leadership and staff who have themselves proven successful in the teaching role. Our leaders maintain consistent school-wide systems and procedures - academic, behavioral, cultural, logistical - designed to permit aides to do their best work. 

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that aides will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep alignment with KIPP MA’s mission and values, including the unwavering belief in the high potential of all students

• Demonstrated ability to drive student growth and achievement and to create a warm, inclusive, rigorous learning environment (preferred)

• Possess an Associate’s Degree OR have completed 48 college credit hours OR pass the ParaPro Assessment with a score of at least 464 within a year of hire

• Experience and/or training in proper physical/tactical restraint procedure (preferred)

• Experience and/or training in proper ABA techniques for student support (preferred)

• Computer literacy and baseline familiarity with Google Suite

• Pass Criminal Background Checks

KIPP MA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in building a vibrant and welcoming school community that advances our mission of ensuring that all KIPP students graduate with the skills and confidence to lead fulfilling lives. This includes a commitment to attracting and developing individuals who understand the experiences of the students and communities we serve. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Additional Information

What We Offer
The minimum base salary for this exempt position is $42,000 to $55,000 (per 1.0 FTE/45 hours per week). The role includes a $1,000 signing bonus—and an annual $2,000 retention bonus in subsequent years, as well as other bonuses, when eligible. This role follows our School Year calendar. For more about what we offer, how to apply and more about KIPP MA, please visit this link HERE.