Special Education Paraeducator

OUR MISSION

Invictus Academy of Richmond prepares 100% of students in grades 7-12 to thrive in the colleges of their choice, solve relevant problems, and communicate with confidence.

____________________________________

OUR SCHOOL

Invictus Academy is a high performing independent public charter school located in El Cerrito, and we are seeking teachers who want to join our team and create an exceptional school.

As a teacher at Invictus, you set the tone for academic rigor, collaboration and have an orientation toward student outcomes. You have an unwavering belief in our students’ capabilities, and as a result, you do whatever it takes to support their growth.

Invictus creates joyful, rigorous classroom cultures where students understand the importance of the content they are learning, and how it connects to their everyday lives and ambitions. We work to ensure that in every lesson, the heavy lifting is done by our students.

We build trusting, authentic relationships with students, families, and colleagues. With these relationships as our foundation, we work closely with each other to support students in meeting the highest academic and behavior expectations. At Invictus, we are eager to learn about and implement restorative approaches to support students to be their best selves.

Invictus Academy of Richmond embodies humility and constantly strives to strengthen our knowledge, skills, and practice. We crave feedback and welcome opportunities to grow through observations, coaching meetings, and professional development.

We are fiercely solutions-oriented. We never shy away from a problem that we must solve to achieve our mission, but always bring potential solutions to the table.

THE ROLE

As an Instructional Aide, you will support one student with diverse learning needs in a full inclusion setting. You will collaborate closely with the General Education teachers and Student Supports Teams to ensure that course work is accessible for students, develop individualized group lessons to help build student’s foundational skills, track student progress, and collaborate on student’s IEP team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with students who require additional support, possess excellent communication skills, and demonstrate patience and understanding in diverse learning environments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The quality of our school cannot exceed the quality of our teachers. In that spirit, we are seeking exceptional individuals to execute the following “essential job duties” and responsibilities :

In your specific role, you will :

Provide Academic Support :

Assist students with disabilities in accessing curriculum materials, understanding concepts, and completing assignments in various subject areas.

Implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) :

Collaborate with special education teachers to implement strategies and accommodations outlined in students' IEPs, ensuring their educational goals are met (i.e. provide 1 : 1 support to student in classroom, support student(s) with toileting needs, assist with health-related needs (g-tube, feeding, administration of medication) (under supervision of school nurse) and assist with the physical needs of students (lifting / assisting with mobility, implementing student stretching / exercise routines).

Facilitate Inclusive Learning :

Foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued and respected, promoting opportunities for peer interactions and collaboration.

Provide Personalized Assistance :

Offer one-on-one or small group instruction to reinforce learning objectives, clarify instructions, and address individual learning needs.

Promote Independence :

Encourage students to develop independence and self-advocacy skills by providing guidance and encouragement in completing tasks and advocating for their own needs.

Assist with Behavioral Support :

Support students in managing behaviors and implementing behavior intervention strategies as outlined in behavior support plans.

Collaborate with Staff :

Work closely with teachers, therapists, and other support staff to coordinate instructional activities, monitor student progress, and address any concerns or challenges that arise.

Maintain Documentation :

Keep accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior, as well as any incidents or observations, and communicate regularly with supervising teachers and administrators.

Support Specialized Equipment :

Assist students in utilizing specialized equipment or technology to access the curriculum and participate in classroom activities.

Ensure Safety and Well-being :

Monitor students during transitions, recess, and other non-instructional times to ensure their safety and well-being, intervening as needed to prevent accidents or conflicts.

Whole School Responsibilities :

Model and teach our core values : purpose, perseverance, productivity, growth mindset, integrity, leadership, joy, gratitude, mindfulness, and kindness

Actively engage in professional development, including sharing strengths of your practice with colleagues

Collaborate with fellow teachers, special education staff, and school leadership to ensure we continuously improve as a school and meet students’ needs

Give and receive feedback to improve your practice, that of your peers, and school leaders, and create and maintain open, honest and respectful lines of communication

____________________________________

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Associate’s degree or successful completion of 2 years of college experience.

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Teaching, or related field preferred.

Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles.

Familiarity with students with students that demonstrate moderate-severe needs.

Ability and willingness to implement students’ individualized education programs.

Ability and willingness to reflect and improve on practice.

Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions; ability and good judgment to take initiative to modify activities.

1+ year working with students in special education with moderate / severe needs or students from urban communities in an educational setting.

Knowledge of federal and state education rights of students and responsibilities of schools, including IEP processes (testing and implementation of accommodations and modifications).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Our ideal candidate has three years of experience working with students with special needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is on-site. The employee must have sufficient mobility to report to campus, work in a classroom, and engage with students, with or without reasonable accommodations. The employee may be required to do light lifting, pushing / pulling, and bending, with or without accommodations. The employee must possess the ability to communicate with students, parents, and colleagues, with or without reasonable accommodations.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

Invictus Academy acknowledges and agrees that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. Invictus Academy shall not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by California or federal law. Equal employment opportunity shall be extended to all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including but not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and dismissal from employment.