Classroom Paraprofessional - Elgin Math and Science Academy

The Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School (EMSA, www.elginmathandscience.org) opened in August of 2018 to all students residing in the U-46 attendance area. 

EMSA is seeking a compelling, committed, and innovative Paraprofessional that will help to establish a positive learning environment that promotes Wow & Wonder in the classroom while modeling and encouraging the habits of scholarship for students' self-discipline. An EMSA Paraprofessional will assist the self-contained special education classroom teacher in providing a well-organized, efficient, and high functioning class environment which enhances the instruction program and overall well-being of the school. 

The successful candidate in this role will use EL Education's Core Practices as the classroom's foundation to ensure remarkable academic achievement, character development, and community involvement for all students. At EMSA, students and teachers will reach their highest potential through active exploratory learning and social responsibility in which:

• Individuals of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome
• Childrens' natural curiosity is nurtured
• Students become leaders of their own learning
• Teachers and students hold high standards
• Critical thinking is central to math and science
• Students develop skills to be responsible individuals

An EMSA Paraprofessional will:

• Operate with the understanding: Diversity is a fact, Inclusion is a behavior, Equity is the outcome
• Work collaboratively with all members of the learning community to build relational trust and foster a growth mindset for all through modeling by taking professional risks, owning mistakes, and being metacognitive about their own growth and revision
• Model EMSA's habits of scholarship in word and action and effectively build a positive classroom culture that promotes self-discipline
• Help to create a collaborative student-centered classroom that thrives on differentiated instruction to increase student growth and enhance school culture
• Challenge, engage inspire and empower all students with the Wow & Wonder of EL Education
• Engage in professional learning and help to implement a progressive, bold educational approach in fostering EL Education's Core Practices to inspire student success
• Practice reflective and synthesizing professional practices to allow for a deeper understanding to manifest for implementation with the highest levels of fidelity
• Help to implement assessment and progress monitoring techniques based on evidence that allow instructional decisions to be made for ultimate student success
• Cultivate strong partnerships with families; all words and actions demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, belief in all students' capacity to succeed and a desire to create an amicably beneficial situation for everyone
• Assist in actively engaging families and the community by showcasing expeditionary outcomes and critique of authentic student work

An Ideal candidate is someone who:

• Follows all directives of the classroom teacher
• Administers and records achievement and test scores for individual students
• Works with individual students in the special education classroom or with the student in the general education classroom.
• Collaborates with the teacher to plan and design specific strategies to reinforce the lesson materials, IEP goals,  and skills recognizing the individual student's needs, interests, and abilities
• Operates and maintains the classroom equipment used for instructional purposes
• Assist students with daily living skills (toileting, washing hands, putting on shoes/coat, etc.)
• Participates in all forms of oral communication relative to reading and speech
• Supervise testing and independent practice activities
• Provides all relevant classroom teaching information to the substitute teacher
• Maintains control and utilizes behavior management practices that are consistent with those of the classroom teacher and school in absence of the teacher
• Supervises students during breakfast, lunch, dismissal, arrival, recess, field trips, expeditions and other related activities as needed
• Exhibits confidentiality in relation to students, parents, and staff
• Develops positive working relationships with administration, staff, students, and parents
• Will be knowledgeable and vigilant in the adherence of the School Safety Plan

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma and Paraprofessional Certification
• Communication and interpersonal skills to engage in a highly collaborative school environment
• Ability to develop relational trust with students, families and staff

Desired

• Strong technology skills
• Fluent in Spanish and English
• Experience in working with students with disabilities
• Experience in working with low-income populations

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity

EMSA seeks individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort. EMSA provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and prohibits discrimination with respect to the hiring or promotion of individuals, conditions of employment, disciplinary and discharge practices, or any other aspect of employment on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, disability, or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.