Special Education Instructional Assistant

MATCHBOOK LEARNING

Wendell Phillips School 63 | Indianapolis, Indiana

Special Education Instructional Assistant

DREAM Life Skills Program — Grades K–8

1 Position Available | Starting Pay: $25.00 / Hour | Full-Time | Hourly, Non-Exempt

Our Vision

At Matchbook Learning, our vision is simple: every child is known, loved, and flourishing. We are a tuition-free public charter school proudly rooted in the Haughville neighborhood of Indianapolis, serving K–8 students at Wendell Phillips School 63. Our students come with high needs and extraordinary potential — and our staff shows up every day to meet both.

Half of our student population are Multilingual Learners. We serve students with a wide range of learning needs and we are proud to be in this community. You will be surrounded by a visible, supportive administration, a strong instructional coaching team, a dedicated MLL director, a large restorative team, and colleagues who put kids first.

About This Role

We are looking for a compassionate, patient, and engaging Instructional Assistant to support students in our DREAM Life Skills Program. This role is centered on helping students build the academic, social, communication, and daily living skills that foster greater independence and confidence both in school and beyond.

Our DREAM Life Skills Program serves students in grades K–8 with diverse learning needs. Working under the guidance of the DREAM classroom teacher, the Instructional Assistant provides individualized and small-group support while helping create a structured, safe, and engaging learning environment where every student is encouraged to grow at their own pace.

The Instructional Assistant will work closely with the DREAM teacher and collaborate with school staff and families to support each student's individualized goals. If you are patient, flexible, relationship-driven, and believe every child deserves meaningful opportunities to learn and succeed, we would love to have you join our team.

Key Responsibilities

■ Build positive, trusting relationships with students by providing consistent encouragement, guidance, and individualized support throughout the school day

■ Support students in developing academic, communication, social, self-regulation, and daily living skills through one-on-one and small-group instruction

■ Assist the DREAM classroom teacher in implementing lessons, accommodations, and instructional activities aligned with students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

■ Foster a safe, structured, and engaging learning environment by reinforcing classroom routines, promoting student independence, and using positive behavior support strategies

■ Assist students with personal care, daily living tasks, classroom transitions, and community-based learning experiences, as needed

■ Prepare instructional materials, collect student data, and maintain an organized classroom environment to support effective instruction

■ Collaborate with the DREAM classroom teacher and school staff to support each student's individualized goals and contribute to a positive, inclusive school culture

■ Model patience, flexibility, professionalism, and a student-centered approach in all interactions with students, families, and colleagues

Qualifications

Required:

■ High school diploma or equivalent (Associate's degree or 30+ college credits a plus for Title I paraprofessional requirements)

■ Experience or genuine interest in working with students with disabilities and diverse learning needs

■ Patient, nurturing, and relationship-driven approach with students

■ Willingness to obtain CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) or equivalent de-escalation certification

■ Commitment to equity, high expectations, and serving students with high needs

Preferred:

■ Prior experience as a paraprofessional, instructional assistant, or in a special education setting

■ Experience supporting students with IEPs, behavior plans, or daily living/self-care needs

■ Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Professional Development & Support

Matchbook Learning invests deeply in its staff. You will receive:

■ Ongoing coaching and modeling from the DREAM classroom teacher and Special Education Coordinator

■ CPI / crisis prevention and de-escalation training

■ Training in IEP implementation, data collection, and individualized behavior support strategies

■ Classroom management systems, PBIS support, and positive behavior reinforcement frameworks

■ Structured feedback and a highly visible, supportive administration

■ Opportunities for continued growth within Matchbook's Special Education team

You will not go it alone. Our leadership and support structure includes:

■ DREAM Classroom Teacher (direct supervisor)

■ Special Education Coordinator and a large, dedicated Special Education team

■ Assistant Principal of Student Supports & Tier 3 Behavior

■ Two School Counselors

■ Dedicated Restorative Team

■ MLL Director with dedicated ongoing language support

■ Large bilingual staff throughout the building

A Whole-Child School

All students K–8 at Matchbook Learning receive Music, Physical Education, PLTW (Project Lead The Way), and College & Career Readiness classes as part of their school day. Our students graduate eighth grade having already chosen a career pathway — entering high school with purpose, direction, and skills ready for today's workforce.

What We Offer

✓ $25.00 starting pay per hour

✓ 5% 401(k) match — dollar for dollar, vested at 90 days

✓ Health, dental & dental insurance, including a health plan option with a $0 employee premium

✓ 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM school day

✓ Tuition reimbursement — up to $2,500 per semester

✓ Thanksgiving week fully off

✓ 10 PTO days (prorated if mid-year start)

✓ Fall, winter, spring & summer breaks

✓ $1,500 perfect attendance bonus

✓ Robust ongoing professional development

✓ Paid CPI / crisis prevention certification

✓ Growth pathway within Special Education team

What We Expect

■ A genuine growth mindset — you welcome coaching, feedback, and continuous improvement

■ Patience, consistency, and a calm, student-centered presence, even in challenging moments

■ Faithful implementation of IEP accommodations and behavior support plans as directed by the DREAM teacher

■ Reliability and attendance — your students and teammates count on you

■ Commitment to knowing every student as an individual

■ Willingness to obtain or maintain CPI/de-escalation certification

Ready to Join the Matchbook Family?

Submit your resume at matchbooklearning.com or email View email address on click.appcast.io │ View phone number on click.appcast.io

Matchbook Learning │ Wendell Phillips School 63 │ Indianapolis, Indiana

Matchbook Learning is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all staff and students. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.