Special Education Paraeducator

Job Description

POSITION: Teaching Assistant – Special Education

REPORTS TO: Special Education Manager

POSITION TYPE: 10-month

START DATE: 24-25 School Year

COMPENSATION: $15.32-$19.05 per hour

At YES Prep, work for a mission that impacts the life trajectory of students and their families. YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. Grow as an authentic leader and be part of an equity driven, team-oriented culture.

Our campuses are advancing educational equity. Some quick stats about us:

• 18,650 Students
• 2,100+ Team Members
• 15 Secondary Campuses
• 9 Elementary Campuses
• 92% Students Who Qualify for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
• 96% Hispanic & African-American Students
• 90% Students Who Are Accepted to a 4-Year University
• 88% First-Generation College Students
• Ranked in the Top 100 High Schools in the Nation, U.S. News & World Report

We serve the students of Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city across the United States. There are over 20 public-school districts and other great public charter school options within Houston’s city limits serving our increasing population. We are a rapidly growing organization, committed to creating life-changing opportunities for over 23,000 students by 2025.

THE ROLE

When you join the YES Prep team, some of the exciting work and responsibilities will include:

• Assisting Special Education and General Education Teacher(s) with the supervision of students in all instructional settings;
• Assisting Special Education and General Education Teacher(s) with behavior management techniques by demonstrating, modeling, and positively reinforcing desired behaviors;
• Maintaining data as identified by teacher(s), students’ IEP goals, and/or Behavior Intervention Plans;
• Assisting in tailoring lessons to meet an individual student’s needs;
• Supporting Special Education and General Education teacher(s) with lesson plans by practicing and reinforcing learning concepts;
• Assisting students in performing self-help and academic skills;
• Assisting with administration and scoring of tests and work assignments;
• Assisting Special Education and General Education Teacher(s) with implementation of accommodations and/or modifications;
• Adapting classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials to support and reinforce classroom objectives;
• Monitoring students during transition times throughout the school day, inside and outside of the classroom;
• Provide personal care services for students as needed; and
• Additional duties as assigned.

THE PERSON

We seek staff with diverse backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. Certain traits consistently shine through for our most successful employees: passion for the mission, drive for results, care for students, resilience, and humility. Other traits needed and desired for this role are:

MUST HAVES

• High School Diploma
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience
• Current Educational Aide certification, or a minimum of two years of post-secondary education
• Interest in working one-on-one with a student with significant needs, including medical needs
• Ability to physically assist students with self-help, mobility, academic, and behavioral skills
• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core value of YES Prep Public Schools
• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
• Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives at once
• Demonstrated ability to work on a team
• A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional

THE MUST HAVE BELIEFS

• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core value of YES Prep Public Schools
• Desire to disrupt systemic status quos in education
• Willingness to go above and beyond to disrupt said status quos
• Passion to develop resiliency through a relentless pursuit of jaw-dropping results

conviction that high expectations + high accountability = high performance and high growth

EVERY OPPORTUNITY STARTS WITH A YES

Great schools begin with great people who believe every day is an opportunity to make a difference. At YES Prep, you have an opportunity to join a family of diverse educators who are leveling the playing field by providing opportunities for a high-quality, college-forward curriculum while also ensuring our students feel supported through their academic journey and empowered to lead choice-filled lives. YES Prep is more than a family of public charter schools, it’s the future of public education—it’s an opportunity to say, “Yes, you can!

THE PERKS

• Compensation – This position is a non-exempt, hourly position; offers commensurate with experience.

• Health and Supplemental Insurance – A $0 monthly medical option that includes $600 towards a Health Savings Account, in addition to a variety of supplemental benefits including Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, etc. Employees must work 20+ hours a week to be eligible for a full spectrum of benefits, and 10 hours a week minimum for medical benefits.

• Retirement Plans – Participation in Teacher Retirement System of Texas and a 457b Retirement Plan.

• Paid Time Off – Employees working 20+ hours a week receive 10 days of Paid Time Off in addition to the system closures during the Academic Calendar.

Please note, part-time hourly employees (working fewer than 40 hours/week) do not receive pay during system closures. Additionally, 10- and 11-month hourly employees do not receive pay during the months in which they are not working.

• Paid Leave Programming – In the event you need to be out due to medical needs (including maternity and paternity leave), YES Prep offers paid leave, paid out at 100%, based on eligibility and tenure.

• Professional Development
  • YES Prep values longevity and performance over time. We invest in developing leaders through high-quality programs, effective coaching, and ongoing professional development.

• Award Winning Culture – The strong cultures of our campuses and Home Office are just one of many reasons we were named Houston’s Best Place to work in 2018 and 2019. We won the 2012 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education and were a 2016 finalist as well.

WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO EQUITY & DIVERSITY

YES Prep strives to recruit a diverse team of leaders. We believe there is a transformative academic and social benefit for students when their teachers and leaders reflect a diversity of backgrounds. Ninety-five percent (95%) of staff members agree that the organization provides a welcoming environment given their background and identity according to our latest system survey.

YES Prep is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood.