Instructional Aide

Job Description

Job Description

About the Team

ACCEL Schools is seeking an Instructional Aide at Portage Leadership Academy in Akron, Ohio.

Be part of the difference at Portage Leadership Academy! Opening in Ravenna for the 2026-2027 school year, we serve students in grades K–5 with a unique leadership-first philosophy. While maintaining high academic standards, we focus on the whole child by weaving integrity and critical thinking into every lesson. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive environment where students from throughout Portage County develop the confidence to lead others and achieve their full potential. Portage Leadership Academy is part of ACCEL Schools, an established network of public charter schools serving K-12 students throughout the United States since 2014.

The Instructional Aide assists the Teacher with classroom activities and helps to promote positive student behaviors in both academics and extra-curricular activities.  The Instructional Aide provides oversight to ensure student safety and a positive school climate.  The Instructional Aide assists the School Leader and Teachers by administering the assigned duties in conformity with the philosophy and policies of ACCEL Schools, the assigned school, the school's governing board, the State Board of Education, and all applicable laws.

Duties:

• Supports lessons taught by the teacher to individual students or groups of students and follows instructional plans as assigned by the Teacher or School Leader
• Helps plan classroom activities as directed by the Teacher and supports the Teacher in all student and parent relations
• Assists with school activities, including, but not limited to, parent-faculty nights, faculty meetings, assemblies, commencement exercises, fundraiser, chaperoning student activities, providing guidance for students, participating on faculty committees, etc.
• Performs clerical duties, including, but not limited to, grading papers and making copies
• Assists the Teacher in the use of classroom technology
• Helps maintain the cleanliness of the classroom, lunchroom and other school areas
• Understands, accepts, abides by, and implements the school's philosophy and mission statement in all school activities
• Other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, field trips, morning duty, dismissal duty, and lunch duty

Performance Expectations:

• Works cooperatively with the Teacher and others
• Acts in accordance with directives from the Administrator (or designee) and teacher
• Contributes to a positive climate and culture by exhibiting high professional standard

• Associate degree, two years of college coursework, or the passage of the Paraprofessional's Exam
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Successful completion of BCI/FBI check
• Ability to meet educational standards as applicable
• Ability to work well under pressure, and effectively prioritize and execute tasks to meet deadlines consistently
• Understanding and ability to manage confidential information
• High quality written and verbal communication skills
• Physical ability to lift 25-40 lbs.
• Experience in a school or social services setting is a plus

"We believe that every child should be able to be anything they want in life, regardless of their birthplace and circumstances." – Ron Packard, CEO & Founder

ACCEL Schools is a network of 80+ high-performing, public charter schools serving PK-12 students. We proudly advocate for school choice and work to address educational inequities throughout the United States. Our schools are inclusive and widely differ to reflect the unique values of the many urban, suburban, and rural communities we serve. Our brick and mortar, and virtual schools specialize in closing educational gaps and offer innovative models such as career-technical education, sports training, bilingual programming, and more. We have been recognized and praised by legislators, authorizers, and researchers for providing exceptional education options to students in historically under-resourced communities.

We offer the following benefits:

Compensation

The starting hourly rate for this position is $15.50/hour.  Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. 

Life benefits – time & peace of mind

• Paid time off
• Retirement contributions
• Optional Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary life insurance (employee, spouse, child)
• Discounted childcare at Early Learning Academies locations

Health benefits – stay well & thrive

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary short-term disability insurance
• Voluntary long-term disability insurance

Career benefits – keep growing

• Career advancement opportunities throughout Accel Schools and our strong network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals

It is our policy to abide by all federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination based solely on a person's race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status, veteran status (including protected veterans), marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected status except where a reasonable, bona fide occupational qualification exists.