Paraprofessional

Why Atlanta Unbound Academy?

AUA will serve as a beacon of academic promise and create a community of students who are the seeds of their ancestor’s wildest dreams-authentic, engaged citizens and leaders of their community who achieve beyond expectations and fuel the advancement and glory of their people. Through rigorous, culturally relevant teaching and a creative, nurturing environment, AUA will empower students who achieve intellectually, interpret the world critically, and dream beyond measure. There are lots of ways you can make an impact and we have a team that is all in. You have the privilege to work with incredible students, and there’s always someone who’s got your back from coaching you through a challenging day to helping you grow professionally and personally. While our environment is urgent, fast-paced and ever-fluctuating, you’ll have all the support (and caffeine) you need to feel successful.

Compassion. Courage. Critical Thinking. – We are AUA.

Why You?

The time is now. There is no more urgent and pressing mission than to provide a rigorous and culturally relevant education to students from low-income communities. We hire passionate professionals determined to ensure that 100% of their students succeed. Anything less would be unacceptable. It’s fast-paced, tiring, sometimes all-consuming, yet fun and rewarding. We need passionate educators committed to raising the bar of excellence for our children. Educators, who believe in open doors, welcome feedback and aren’t afraid to ask for help. An AUA teacher is a self-starter, results-oriented, thinks critically about problems, compassionate and courageous enough to come back each day renewed, with a smile and a sense of humor.

AUA is a great fit for the person who:

• enjoys creating from scratch and is excited to create a school

• can take a vision and make it reality when few see it.

• believes in the value culturally relevant teaching

• can remain calm in the midst of pressure, especially in difficult conversations with stakeholders

• has a sense of humor, humility, and urgency, with a customer service mindset

• believes in doing whatever it takes to meet the goal

• has strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backwards plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to detail, and deliver consistent and timely results.

• has an unwavering commitment to AUA’s mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of AUA’s students, families, and staff.

The Role

AUA is a free public charter school serving grades K-8.

As a start-up school there is much room for growth and development at Atlanta Unbound Academy. The Special Education Paraprofessional supports teachers in meeting the educational- behavioral- and social emotional needs of students with disabilities in the classroom and community. This position reports to the principal.

Paraprofessional Performance Responsibilities:

• Provides small group and/or individualized instruction to students with disabilities in accordance with the supervising teacher's lesson plans.

• Collects instructional and behavioral data for all objectives being taught for each student.

• Implements Behavior Intervention Plans for students with disabilities.

• Monitors students before and after school and during non-instructional transition periods.

• Supervises students closely during breakfast and /or lunch and/or recess and/or getting off the bus.

• Assists students as necessary with physical needs including feeding- toileting- lifting- and mobility.

• Assists students with healthcare procedures including hygiene and medications as needed for daily care.

• Assists students with assistive technology devices- including communication devices- switches and orthopedic devices needed for sitting - walking- or standing.

• Performs other duties as assigned by classroom teacher or appropriate administrator

Our expectations for Paraprofessionals include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A belief that all students can and will be successful at our schools, including students who present challenges

• Assume a high level of personal responsibility for the progress of all students

• Practice a growth mindset about oneself and all others at the school, including seeking help and engaging in self-reflection in order to constantly refine one’s own teaching

• Dependable attendance according to our extended school year and extended school day

• Use best practices in alignment with school-wide systems to manage student behavior and create a safe, warm, demanding, and joyful classroom environment

• Use best practices, including differentiation with instructional technology and other techniques, to execute engaging instruction at a level rigorous for all students

• Collaborate throughout each day with grade level and content teams, sharing responsibility for all students at all times.

REQUIREMENTS

• Two years’ prior success in this role (preferred)

• • Must either hold or be eligible for a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) paraprofessional license and clearance certification. The requirements for licensure include:

  • Hold an associate’s degree or higher in any subject from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.

  • Have completed two (2) years of college coursework (sixty [60] semester hours) above the remedial level with a grade of “C” or better at a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.

  • Have passed the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment and hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

COMPENSATION

• Atlanta Unbound Academy salary for this role is $40,721.

• AUA provides free medical and short-term disability for full-time salaried employees, plus affordable dental, vision, and life insurance. Competitive rates are available for family coverage.

• Contributions to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) in accordance with Georgia State law

• An additional, optional 403(b) retirement account

Statement of Non-Discrimination:
AUA is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment. AUA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.