The Academy is hiring a full-time Pre- Kindergarten Paraprofessional for the 2024-25 school year.

The Academy of Charter Schools Is…

The Academy of Charter Schools is a public PK-12 school of choice located in Westminster, Colorado. We pair a rigorous, content-rich curriculum with opportunities to explore strengths and passions to achieve the highest standards for all. Our mission is to help all students grow into college ready, exemplary citizens by combining academic mastery with personal empowerment to drive lifelong success. We serve our full community by intentionally developing a school culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our approach to vertically aligning the full educational experience for our students from youngest to oldest centers around three notions – Prepare, Explore, and Empower – that keep us grounded in The Academy’s mission and vision as we set priorities and make decisions that impact instruction and school culture.

Academy Employees Are…

At The Academy, employees embody our mission, vision, and values every day. They guide and support staff to prepare students for academic mastery by delivering evidence-based curricula; they collaborate with students, staff, and families to design student-centered learning experiences that create opportunities to explore strengths and passions; and they support the implementation of social-emotional skills lessons that empower students to become leaders of their own learning. Academy employees work hard to provide an engaging, inclusive, and joyful learning environment. They embrace relationships and positive communication with a diverse community of students, staff, and families while helping maintain a culture of high expectations for all. Experience in school environments, strong people skills, and ability to work within a team is required.

What Makes a Good Academy Employee?

The Academy is looking for committed leaders who are prepared to perform at a high level in a demanding environment. Some of the characteristics that make for a successful employee at The Academy include:

• A people-first, relationship-focused orientation
• A growth mindset
• A belief that ALL children can achieve at high levels
• A passion for contributing to overall school success by working alongside and supporting others
• A creative, innovative, and caring attitude
• A spirit of openness, trust, and kindness
• A dedication to data-driven practices
• A highly motivated work ethic and willingness to tackle challenges
• Comfort with being flexible
• A sense of humor

At The Academy, we know that diversity makes us stronger and challenges us to think differently every day. The Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status or disability.

• 183 work-day calendar
• Hourly rate starting at $18.00, based on experience
• Full-time status, 9:00am - 5:30pm (M-F)
• School year starts August 5th, 2024
• Medical Benefits - 100% paid for employees on select plans
• PERA Retirement Benefits
• Responsibility to verify experience rests with employee

Visit our website at www.theacademyk12.org. The Academy’s comprehensive benefits package includes a number of different plans for full-time employees. Refer to Employee Benefits Enrollment Guide for details at https://www.theacademyk12.org/about-us/working-for-us. Information on employee paid leave is also available at this same location.

SUMMARY: Assist teacher with supervising and engaging 4-6 year-old children in activities and materials that promote the development of each individual student’s language, cognitive, independence, motor, and social-emotional skills. Assist teacher with appropriate discipline and classroom management. Assist the teacher with the physical care of each child and assist the teacher with other responsibilities mandated by the Colorado Division of Child Care. Paraprofessionals will perform the duties and responsibilities proficiently, professionally, and in a collaborative manner consistent with the standards of care and quality that accompany the highest norms of the profession.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Will assist teachers with one or more of the following: implementing lesson plans; maintaining classroom environment; promoting skills, taking care of materials; observing students’ growth and development for the purpose of assessing skills; preparing instructional materials; maintaining the classroom schedule and daily routine; completing required paperwork; supervising students to and from the classroom, on field trips, on the playground, and/or during other activities; and/or leading activities for a class and/or small groups.

2. Will assist with student health care, including one or more of the following: administering first aid to ill or injured children; caring for diapering and/or toileting needs; dispensing medication; assisting with medical needs,

3. Attend appropriate in-services, building meetings, training, and/or school functions.

4. Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Requirements, which minimally are:
• AA or 2 year college degree, OR
• Completion of 48 college semester hours, OR
• Passing of state CDE approved paraprofessional examination
• Minimum of 6 months experience working with children in a childcare or early education environment required.
• Must be “group leader” qualified as defined by the Division of Childcare Licensing or agree to become group leader qualified within 6 months of hire; a Group Leader Certificate from an accredited community college is preferred.
• May require experience in health care, working with children with various learning and physical disabilities.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS:

• Criminal background check required for hire.
• Fingerprint card completed for Division of Child Care Licensing
• Ability to successfully complete a pre-hire, post-offer physical examination.
• Immunization record showing all immunizations are current.
• Standard Precautions, First Aid, CPR and Medication training certifications may be required.
• TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:
• Work is assigned by supervising Teacher and Program Director.
• Requires independent judgment to manage students and assist in their education, make quick decisions, treat students equitably and fairly, evaluate students' abilities and progress, direct class/students in the absence of the teacher, provide a positive role model for the students, care for ill or injured students.
• Requires ability to follow directions and follow school and Charter School Institute (CSI) guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Decision-making is guided by CSI, school, and state policies, procedures, and behavioral standards; Infectious Disease Handbook; School Technology Plans; and/or Building Instructional Plans.
• Decision-making is made by teachers and program director, which will follow guidelines of the central administrators. Errors in decision making that could impact students' safety, health, education, and/or progress will result in having staff members follow outcomes according to guidance or disciplinary procedures
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Authorizer policies and building and department procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic, socio/economic and educational backgrounds.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING KNOWLEDGE:

• Operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals.
• Operating knowledge of information technology systems and any other department specific software and equipment required within one month after entering position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS & DIRECTION/GUIDANCE:

Reports to: Supervising Teacher and/or Pre- Kindergarten Director

Direct reports: None

BUDGET AND/OR RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:

• This job has no budgetary responsibilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands, work environment factors and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.