Paraprofessional (SY 25-26)

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is seeking dynamic missionaligned Paraprofessional to join our teamfor the202425 academic year.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP & EVALUATION

Employee reports to the Associate Director of Student Support and campus Director/Principal. Employee will receive informal feedback often daily through observations/feedback at least biweekly checkins and two formal evaluations annually.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Being part of our team gives you lots of opportunities to grow but with great power also comes great responsibility. Here are some of the primary responsibilities associated with this role:

• A Paraprofessional is one who is assigned to assist and support a teacher and students with disabilities in a classroom but who does not assume the primary responsibility for the classroom. This person possesses a commitment to the betterment of education and a desire to work with and understand students with disabilities.
• The Paraprofessionalmakes it possible for the teacher to be more effective and to utilize his/her ability and professional knowledge. It is the teachers responsibility to assure that the students are moving toward achievement of their individual goals and objectives.
• Paraprofessionals serve under the direction and supervision of the general/special education teachers to assist in carrying out those goals and objectives. The Paraprofessional is to be effective in providing services to students within the classroom. It is also based on the belief that the Paraprofessional should be viewed as a team member and who along with the teachers provide the best possible learning environment for their students.
• The job of the Paraprofessional is to enhance the instructional programs for students with disabilities. The Paraprofessionalis under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Student Support and building administrator.
• The Paraprofessional supports the teacher (special ed. or regular ed.) in reinforcing instruction and positive behavior.
• Paraprofessionals also perform duties which free the teacher to work with those students requiring more help. Because theParaprofessional works only under the direction of the teacher the teacher diagnoses and prescribes the learning needs of the students. The teacher functions in a leadership role and carries the primary responsibility of implementing the students individual education plan (IEP). Paraprofessional may be assigned duties or activities which foster the implementation of various portions of the students IEP under the direction of the teacher. All lessons originate through the classroom teacher but may be reinforced by the Paraprofessional .
• While the role of the Paraprofessional is multifaceted the Paraprofessionals primary focus is to provide better learning opportunities for students with disabilities. Depending upon the level of the students disability the students age and the type of classroom the student is assigned; the role of the Paraprofessional will vary.

Below are many of the roles and responsibilities that the Paraprofessional can expect to do:

Instructional Support

• Reinforce and review concepts and skills. Assist students in activities initiated by the supervising teacher.
• Carry out the instructional program as planned by the supervising teacher.
• Monitor and check student work.
• Assist a small group of students or an individual student in a particular task planned and assigned by the teacher.
• Assist students in writing dictated stories.
• Assist with computerassisted instruction.
• Assist students in the general education settings (specials library cafeteria classroom recess etc.)
• Reinforce students goals and objectives as written on the IEP.

Organizational Support

• Meet students upon arrival.
• Help students load and unload on and off the bus if needed.
• Assist with lunch and/or recess and specials.
• Assist students in their environmental setting with the restroom library etc.
• Accompany students to physical therapy occupational therapy speech etc. when needed
• Help prepare students for dismissal.
• Get materials ready for activities.
• Help prepare and clean up after classroom activities.
• Collect completed work.
• Support with preparing and arranging the classroom when needed.
• Support with making visual aids when needed.
• Organize supplies in the classroom.

Behavior Management Support

• Observe and chart behavior as needed.
• Give positive reinforcement and support.
• Provide close supervision for students with behavior problems.
• Circulate in the classroom to provide support where needed.
• Enforce class and school rules.
• Assist students with organizational skills.
• Motivate and praise students often.
• Help students develop to become independent learners.
• Assist in implementing the behavior plan as set up by the supervising teacher according to the IEP.
• Assist with data keeping and recording.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have completed at least 60 credits of study at an institution of higher education or have an Associates degree (or higher).
• Upbeat positive outgoing and personable
• Maturity humility strong work ethic sense of humor and rollupmysleeves attitude
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Must enjoy contact with children and parents
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail
• Prior experience working in schools and/or urban communities preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Robust medical dental and vision insurance plans w/ comprehensive network coverage.
• Up to $5250 per year in tax exempt student loan and tuition reimbursement.
• Reimbursements for external professional development aligned to your role.
• Wellness reimbursements including gym memberships spa services and more.
• Online counseling services for staff and their dependents via toprated therapy app.
• Pretax state pension plan benefit w/ addl. options available via voluntary retirement plans.
• Pretax dependent care health and transit flexible spending plans available.
• Convenient health screening and telemedicine support via VitalCheck Wellness platform.

ABOUT GREAT OAKS LEGACY CHARTER SCHOOL

The Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is a highperforming innovative charter public school in Newark NJ serving students from PreK to 12th grade on campuses across the city of Newark. Our mission is to prepare Newarks students for success in college and beyond.

Our model is based on the following guiding principles that guide our work daily

1. Creating a community that is built upon genuine and meaningful relationships. GOLCS staff rate our commitment to students as the #1 reason they teach/work at our schools.
2. Being surgical in our approach to differentiation of instruction and support for all students and team members. Our students receive daily tutoring embedded into their school schedule facilitated by our AmeriCorps team members. Staff members receive individualized coaching and support in their roles.
3. Setting and exceeding high expectations for academic growth and character development for all students in preparation for success in college and beyond. Currently the historical college matriculation rate for GOLCS is 79% nearly twice the national average for economically underrepresented students.

DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY

GOLCS is committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. Furthermore we believe that racial justice and equity is critical to our mission of preparing students for success in college and beyond. We strive to be an organization that is diverse equitable inclusive and elevates our student voices in preparing them for life and college.

GOLCS VACCINATION POLICY & COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is committed to ensuring healthy and safe working and learning environments and maintaining our educational commitment to GOLCS students and families with minimal disruption to instruction. With this in mind as of October 2021 Great Oaks Legacy requires vaccination against COVID19 for all employees. Candidates who would like to apply for a reasonable accommodation from this policy based on a qualifying disability or sincerely held religious belief should reach out to for more information.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Great Oaks Legacy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.