Support Staff Member (Lone Tree, Colorado)

Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County is seeking several support staff for the 23-24 school year to assist faculty members in its growing campus in Lone Tree, Colorado, in the south Denver metro area.

At Ascent Classical Academies, teachers create their own lessons within the framework set by our content-rich curriculum, in collaboration with colleagues and in partnership with Hillsdale College's Barney Charter School Initiative. Support staff perform important administrative or substitute functions so that teachers may focus on mastering the key elements of their instruction. Support staff have the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants, substitute teachers, student services paraprofessionals and/or lunch and recess aides.

Academic support staff, particularly substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals, work closely with each teacher in his/her assigned grade level(s). These positions require a highly organized, disciplined, and motivated individual to help support teachers in routine administrative duties so teachers are able to focus on instruction. This position is responsible for a variety of duties throughout the day and week, including reinforcing instruction, preparing materials and equipment for classroom teachers, supporting the administrative and clerical needs of teachers.  Aides are critical to supervising students (including at recess and lunch as needed), substitute teaching, assisting with before- and after-school supervision and carline, and other duties as assigned.

Academic support staff are responsible for modeling, implementing, and continuously improving in the following areas, which may be modified at any time in the discretion of the school:

• Support and supplement the educational program in the classroom, under a teacher’s direction
• Research and gather resources and materials need for lessons
• Contribute to the moral and intellectual environment of the school
• Work effectively with faculty and other staff as a team to improve the teacher’s instruction
• Understand and adhere to the principles of classical education
• Develop the intellect and personal character of each student to the utmost of his or her ability
• Communicate verbally and in writing clearly, precisely and grammatically
• Speak of and model character in terms of the School’s core virtues
• Require students to speak in turn
• Prevent any student from disrupting the class by using the established disciplinary procedures
• Assist the teacher in requiring students to be respectful, attentive and participatory
• Tolerate no cruelty amongst or between students
• Enforce the dress code
• Be sensitive to problems as they are developing and intervene immediately

Those serving as Interventionists or Student Services Paraprofessionals will:

• Work with individual or small groups of students who are at-risk to provide educational interventions and progress monitoring.
• Implement small group/individual intervention instruction, progress monitoring, and other activities related to reading support.
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information.
• Attend team/parent meetings as required; provide input to teams regarding student academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Maintain data-based documentation of continuous monitoring of student performance and progress during interventions.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as requested by the Headmaster or Student Services Coordinator.

About Ascent Classical Academies

Ascent Classical Academies is a growing K-12 classical charter school network based in Colorado. Our schools offer an American Classical Education and are affiliated with the Barney Charter School Initiative at Hillsdale College. Ascent Classical Academy Charter Schools currently serve approximately 1,500 students in K-12 campuses located in the Denver and Fort Collins areas of Colorado, with significant expansion planned throughout Colorado and the West. Ascent Classical Academy schools offer a well-rounded liberal arts and classical education grounded in virtue and supporting the ideas and philosophy behind the American Founding.

Desired Start Date: mid-August, 2023

Compensation Range and Particulars: Aides $16.00-$19.50 per hourly; Teaching Assistants / Substitutes $17.00-$22.00 per hour; Student Services paraprofessionals $20.00-$25.00 per hour.

Support staff work approximately 180-185 days per year.

Schedule and Classification: Full-Time or Part-Time positions are available. Non-Exempt under the FLSA.

Full-time is considered 30 hours or more per week. For part-time, we request a minimum of 20 hours per week. Staff are paid on an hourly basis.

Benefits Available (for Full-Time):

• Employee-only coverage for group medical, dental, and vision plan; dependent coverage available.
• Health savings account with employer contributions
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance plans
• Retirement investment account*
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Free employee benefit and healthcare guidance through HealthJoy
• Paid leave for qualifying events under the Family Medical Leave Act and the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act*

* These benefits are available for part-time staff.

Qualified candidates will demonstrate high moral character and embrace the virtues of a democratic society. They will also foster professional friendships with faculty and staff, seek collaborative relationships with parents, and mentor students in the pursuit of their own flourishing. These positions also require:

• High school diploma (Associates degree or higher is preferred)
• Eligibility to work in the United States
• After offer is accepted, satisfactory background check as required by state law and Colorado Department of Education
• Conviction in the values of a rigorous liberal arts education
• Loyalty to the school and ACA’s mission and vision
• Commitment to model moral character in line with the school’s core virtues and the pursuit of the Good, True, and Beautiful
• Dedication to enhance the school’s culture of excellence and seek the good of the entire team
• Desire to deliver prompt, courteous, and superior customer service of the school’s faculty, staff, administration, students and families
• Adherence to all ACA policies, including but not limited to the Employee Handbook, Family Handbook, and all applicable school policies
• Punctuality and attendance
• Initiative and effort
• Professionalism in appearance and speech
• Cheerful attendance to other duties as assigned by the teacher or administration

Student Services paraprofessionals are preferred who have passed a formal assessment measuring the knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing and mathematics, or be willing to pass such an assessment within 3 months of employment. See CDE Guidance for Paraprofessionals .

In addition, any paraprofessional or teaching assistant/substitute who teaches reading to students in K-3 is required to comply with the Colorado READ Act. Free training from the Colorado Department of Education is available. See CDE Guidance for READ Act compliance.