Lead Academic Paraprofessional

Position Overview:

At BHA Academy, the Lead Academic Paraprofessional – Special Education is a senior instructional support and coordination role responsible for ensuring high-fidelity implementation of academic, behavioral, and therapeutic programming across classrooms. This role serves as the day-to-day lead for paraprofessional staff, supporting staffing coordination, coaching, documentation oversight, and consistency of classroom systems.

The Lead Academic Paraprofessional works in close partnership with Case Managers, teachers, clinicians, and operations leadership to ensure students receive structured, predictable, and individualized supports aligned to their IEPs, BIPs, and treatment plans. This position requires strong leadership presence, organization, and the ability to support staff and students in high-intensity, therapeutic learning environments.

This role models and reinforces BHA Academy Core Values—Compassion with Purpose, Structure Builds Safety, Professionalism in Every Moment, Positivity Drives Progress, Education is Empowerment, Consistency Creates Change, Reunification is Our Mission, and Advocacy Through Action—through daily leadership, accountability, and mentorship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compassion with Purpose

· Build respectful, trauma-informed relationships with students, ensuring dignity, safety, and high expectations

· Support students with significant emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs using evidence-based practices

· Model compassionate, consistent responses to challenging behavior and guide peers in best practices

· Support paraprofessional staff with empathy while holding clear expectations for performance

Structure Builds Safety 

· Coordinate daily paraprofessional staffing assignments to ensure classroom coverage and student safety

· Support consistent implementation of classroom routines, schedules, and transitions across settings

· Serve as a first point of contact for staffing issues, coverage gaps, and urgent operational needs during the school day

· Monitor adherence to visual schedules, reinforcement systems, and safety protocols

Professionalism in Every Moment

· Model professionalism, accountability, confidentiality, and ethical conduct at all times

· Provide in-the-moment coaching and redirection to paraprofessionals when expectations are not met

· Communicate clearly and respectfully with leadership, teachers, clinicians, and support staff

· Support a culture of feedback, growth, and mutual respect

Positivity Drives Progress

· Maintain a calm, solutions-focused approach during challenging or high-stress situations

· Encourage staff morale, teamwork, and resilience throughout the school day

· Reinforce strengths and celebrate student and staff progress

Education is Empowerment

· Conduct in-the-moment academic fidelity checks to ensure instructional strategies align with student plans

· Support paraprofessionals in data collection, instructional engagement, and academic supports

· Provide small-group or individualized instructional support as assigned

· Reinforce evidence-based instructional practices across classrooms

Consistency Creates Change

· Ensure consistent expectations, routines, and interventions across paraprofessional teams

· Monitor completion and accuracy of daily documentation, data sheets, student logs, and incident reports

· Identify documentation gaps and support corrective action

· Support continuity of care across classrooms and transitions

Reunification is Our Mission

· Support programming that promotes independence, regulation, and readiness for less restrictive environments

· Communicate observations and trends to Case Managers and leadership to inform student progress

· Ensure consistency of expectations even during staff changes or absences

Advocacy Through Action

· Advocate for student safety, dignity, and access to high-quality instruction

· Elevate concerns related to student needs, staffing, or program integrity to leadership

· Mentor paraprofessionals to build confidence, skill, and professional growth

· Serve as a stabilizing leader across Academy environments

Other Duties 

• Support coverage and scheduling coordination in collaboration with designated parties.
• Conduct end-of-day checks on team documentation and ensure completion of required forms.
• Support onboarding and mentoring of new paraprofessionals.
• Perform other duties and special projects to support various organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and required trainings (e.g., PCM, Tools of Choice, CPR/FA, Mandated Reporting).
• Support personal care needs (toileting, feeding, hygiene, mobility) as outlined in student plans.
• Complete documentation accurately and promptly, including data collection, incident reports, and daily notes.
• Maintain classroom cleanliness, organization, and safety standards.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below represent those required to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made, as required by law, to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions safely and effectively. However, employees must be able to perform the essential duties in a manner that ensures the safety and supervision of students at all times.

ACCESS TO PHI: The employee may have access to Protected Health Information (PHI). Employees must always protect the confidentiality of all client information. This includes adhering to all BHA policies and all applicable state and federal regulations regarding Protected Health Information (PHI). Sharing, discussing, or disclosing PHI in any form—verbal, written, electronic, or visual—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly authorized and required for job duties.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT: Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment based on their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted so as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

ADA STATEMENT: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential job duty. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

ACCOUNTABILITY/IMPACT (Degree of answerability for actions, consequences of errors in judgment, and legal liabilities): Errors in judgment or mistakes could cost the organization loss of revenue, loss of clients, and/or negatively impact KCBHH’s reputation.

Qualifications:

· High school diploma or equivalent required

· Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, behavioral science, or related field preferred

· Minimum two (2) years experience as a paraprofessional in a special education or therapeutic school setting

· Prior experience providing informal leadership, mentoring peers, or supporting classroom coordination strongly preferred.

Performance Standards

· Demonstrates consistent high-fidelity implementation of instructional and behavioral plans

· Maintains strong attendance, reliability, and professional conduct

· Demonstrates leadership presence, sound judgment, and calm decision-making

· Applies feedback constructively and supports team growth

Skills & Competencies

· Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

· Excellent organization, time management, and problem-solving abilities

· Ability to coach and support paraprofessionals in real time

· Emotional resilience and professionalism in high-pressure situations

Additional Requirements:

• Must maintain sufficient physical stamina, balance, and coordination to safely assist and supervise students throughout the day, including during behavioral or emergency situations.
• Must be able to implement and sustain trained crisis intervention and de-escalation procedures (PCMA) in accordance with policy.
• Must  demonstrate the ability to remain calm, alert, and physically capable during high-stress or physically demanding situations involving students with challenging behaviors.
• Must possess the fine motor, gross motor, and sensory abilities necessary to operate computers, assistive technology, and classroom equipment safely and effectively.

Working Conditions:

The working conditions described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made, in accordance with applicable law, to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions safely and effectively. However, employees must be able to perform the essential duties in a manner that ensures the safety and supervision of students at all times.

Additional Conditions and Expectations:

• Employees must maintain professional conduct and emotional regulation at all times, even during crisis events or when exposed to aggressive or unsafe behaviors.
• Employees must adhere to all BHA safety protocols, behavior support plans, and de-escalation procedures, following the direction of supervisors and clinical staff.
• Employees must remain physically and mentally alert throughout the workday to ensure continuous supervision of students. Sleeping or inattention during supervision is prohibited.
• Employees must maintain confidentiality, respect, and dignity toward all students, families, and colleagues, regardless of behavioral presentation.
• Work hours may vary depending on student needs, program requirements, and emergency situations.

BHA Academy is committed to providing individualized, evidence-based instruction in a safe and structured environment. The Lead Classroom Paraprofessional plays a central role in supporting both students and staff to achieve daily success.