26-27 Paraprofessional - Stella Middle Charter Academy

Paraprofessional Job Description

26-27 School Year

Job Description: Paraprofessional


Reporting to: School Principal or another administrator as designated by the Principal


FLSA Status: Full-time, Non-exempt, 10 month


Who we are:

Bright Star Schools is a free, publicly funded and open enrollment non-profit organization with nine public charters in urban Los Angeles. Across all of our Bright Star sites, over 90% of our students are eligible for free and reduced lunch.


Our mission is to provide holistic, inclusive support for all students to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so that they find joy in higher education, career, and life. Bright Star students will become leaders who act with integrity and champion equity to enrich our communities and the world. The framework to our success is our core operating principles, which are Integridad, Ubuntu, Kohyang (고향) , and Growth.


Our educators join a family that is passionate and committed to developing all students to become well-rounded citizens. We offer small class sizes, comprehensive coordinator support, and numerous collaboration opportunities across the organization and within school sites. We strongly believe in listening to all stakeholders' voices, and we work to increase teaching practice and effectiveness through our data-driven and feedback-derived professional development.


Bright Star Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.


Role Summary:

This Paraprofessional will primarily support teachers with push-in and push-out resource services to students with IEPs in the general education setting. They will assist teachers in providing instructional and behavioral support to a specialized caseload of students with disabilities (including students with Autism, ADHD, or Specific Learning Disabilities). All duties are performed under the supervision and direction of a credentialed Education Specialist, who maintains responsibility for the establishment of accommodations, service provision, and required recordkeeping.


What you'll do

Basic Components of the Job Description for the Paraprofessional position include (but are not limited to):

• Supporting students with disabilities (SWDs) across various settings

• Provide targeted instructional support to students with IEPs in both push-in and pull-out settings, in collaboration with the Inclusion Specialist Teacher(s) and/or Special Day Class Teacher(s)

• Maintain open lines of communication with ISTs, Special Day Class Teachers, general education teachers, and staff to ensure the individual needs of all students are met

• Provide input to case managers and teachers to inform IEP development, based on observed student progress and needs.

• Regularly meet with ISTs and/or Special Day Class Teachers

• Implement instructional strategies, accommodations, and modifications aligned with students' IEPs in collaboration with teachers.

• Accurately document all service minutes and session details into Welligent by 5pm Friday, ensuring compliance with IEP service requirements and timelines.

• Track and monitor student progress toward IEP goals through observational notes, informal assessments, and data collection tools.

• Support students in developing academic, executive functioning, social-emotional, and behavioral skills.

• Support the implementation and monitoring of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) as directed by case managers and behavior specialists.

• Respond appropriately to behavioral needs using de-escalation techniques in alignment with Safety-Care or other crisis prevention training.

• Build and maintain positive relationships among students and staff

• Assisting teachers in establishing and maintaining a safe, welcome, and accessible learning environment.

• Attend and participate in required training, professional development, and team meetings.

• Provide student supervision during transitions, lunch/recess, arrival/dismissal, or other non-instructional times, as assigned.

• Providing coverage support as needed

• If bilingual, serving as a translator in IEP meetings as needed

• Assisting in maintaining student records and files

• Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and services in alignment with FERPA and IDEA

• Performs related duties as assigned

• Any other duties as assigned.

What you'll Bring

Minimum:

• 48 college units

• CPR & First Aid Certification, training provided

• Ability to lead, direct, and instruct students of all ages

• Strong English verbal and written communication skills

• Flexibility and critical-thinking skills

Desired (but not required) in order of importance:

• Bachelor's Degree, education related field preferred

• Bilingual in Spanish or Korean preferred

• A valid and current Substitute Credential with CTC, highly preferred

• Substitute credentials must be pursued in the 1st year of employment

• CBEST must be completed to be eligible to apply to CTC

Ability to:

• Must be punctual and maintain professionalism at all times

• Must be proactive, independent, organized, and detail-oriented

• Must be creative, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and dependent

• Must possess effective communication skills in oral and written form

• Must possess interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships

• Must possess problem solving skills to help de-escalate student conflicts

• Must present a neat, professional appearance

• Must be able to adjust tasks and focus with composure, and in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities.

Cognitive & Behavioral Competencies

• Must be able to analyze written, spoken, visual, and other sensory stimuli

• Must have ability to understand and analyze written and spoken English

• Must be able to cope effectively with stressful situations and time constraints

• Must be able to make sound judgments based on available information

• Must be able to engage in frequent student/parent/coworker contact

• Must be able to remain calm in emergency situations

• Must be able to perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines

• Must be able to maintain accuracy in tasks requiring meticulous attention to detail

• Must have flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work demands

• Must be able to logically solve problems

• Must be able to provide and follow detailed written and verbal instructions

• Must be able to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and students

• Must demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Must have a passion for student success

• Must demonstrate strong organizational Skills

Working Conditions/Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally expected to work indoors in typical school and office environments. This position involves:

• Occasional exposure to extreme or varying temperatures.

• Occasional exposure to outdoor elements such as sun, precipitation and wind or wet/humid surroundings.

• Occasional/ exposure to loud noise, fumes, smoke, dust.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job.

• Prolonged sitting/standing.

• Frequent walking.

• Must be able to occasionally/frequently lift, carry push, and/or pull objects of not more than 30 pounds.

• Must be able to frequently bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, climb, crawl, and/or squat.

• Frequent reaching and twisting, including reaching above shoulder height

• Manual dexterity, and finger/wrist and hand repetitions are needed; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing and typing; frequent grasping, holding and reaching.

• Frequent computer use, including use of keyboard and mouse.

• Speaking and hearing are essential to the communication needs of the position; constant hearing and speaking in person and on the phone, via remote video teleconferencing platforms.

• Must be able to be physically present at the worksite and occasionally travel for meetings or conferences.

• Always required to wear the appropriate safety equipment for the task, which may include gloves, goggles, aprons, belts, etc.

What we offer:

• Salary: Based on years of experience

• Location: Los Angeles, CA

• Benefits: Health, dental, vision, STRS retirement matching, life insurance, optional 403b plan, sick and vacation paid time off, and holidays.

Please note:

Effective January 1, 2025: Under Education Code section 44939.5, you must provide a complete list of all prior employment with any school district, county office of education, charter school, or state special school, including part-time and substitute roles. You can provide your complete prior employment history within the work experience section of the application. Failure to disclose this information may be considered dishonesty in the hiring process or during employment.

What you'll Bring

Minimum:

• 48 college units

• CPR & First Aid Certification, training provided

• Ability to lead, direct, and instruct students of all ages

• Strong English verbal and written communication skills

• Flexibility and critical-thinking skills

Desired (but not required) in order of importance:

• Bachelor's Degree, education related field preferred

• Bilingual in Spanish or Korean preferred

• A valid and current Substitute Credential with CTC, highly preferred

• Substitute credentials must be pursued in the 1st year of employment

• CBEST must be completed to be eligible to apply to CTC

Ability to:

• Must be punctual and maintain professionalism at all times

• Must be proactive, independent, organized, and detail-oriented

• Must be creative, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and dependent

• Must possess effective communication skills in oral and written form

• Must possess interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships

• Must possess problem solving skills to help de-escalate student conflicts

• Must present a neat, professional appearance

• Must be able to adjust tasks and focus with composure, and in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities.

Cognitive & Behavioral Competencies

• Must be able to analyze written, spoken, visual, and other sensory stimuli

• Must have ability to understand and analyze written and spoken English

• Must be able to cope effectively with stressful situations and time constraints

• Must be able to make sound judgments based on available information

• Must be able to engage in frequent student/parent/coworker contact

• Must be able to remain calm in emergency situations

• Must be able to perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines

• Must be able to maintain accuracy in tasks requiring meticulous attention to detail

• Must have flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work demands

• Must be able to logically solve problems

• Must be able to provide and follow detailed written and verbal instructions

• Must be able to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and students

• Must demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Must have a passion for student success

• Must demonstrate strong organizational Skills

Working Conditions/Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally expected to work indoors in typical school and office environments. This position involves:

• Occasional exposure to extreme or varying temperatures.

• Occasional exposure to outdoor elements such as sun, precipitation and wind or wet/humid surroundings.

• Occasional/ exposure to loud noise, fumes, smoke, dust.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job.

• Prolonged sitting/standing.

• Frequent walking.

• Must be able to occasionally/frequently lift, carry push, and/or pull objects of not more than 30 pounds.

• Must be able to frequently bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, climb, crawl, and/or squat.

• Frequent reaching and twisting, including reaching above shoulder height

• Manual dexterity, and finger/wrist and hand repetitions are needed; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing and typing; frequent grasping, holding and reaching.

• Frequent computer use, including use of keyboard and mouse.

• Speaking and hearing are essential to the communication needs of the position; constant hearing and speaking in person and on the phone, via remote video teleconferencing platforms.

• Must be able to be physically present at the worksite and occasionally travel for meetings or conferences.

• Always required to wear the appropriate safety equipment for the task, which may include gloves, goggles, aprons, belts, etc.