Paraprofessional/Substitute Teacher (Full-Time)

Integrity Educational Services is currently seeking a Full-Time Paraprofessional/Substitute Teacher to serve at Lighthouse Academy Juvenile Detention Center in Ottawa County (West Olive)!

Integrity Educational Services (IES) is the non-profit educational service provider for Hope Academy of West Michigan and Lighthouse Academy. Being a part of the IES team means that you care about the students we serve, you genuinely believe every student can succeed, you align with our mission, vision, and Whole Child approach to education and you are committed to living into our values. Each and every day, we hold ourselves responsible to living out the values of Respect, Inclusiveness, Integrity, Persistence, Growth Mindset, Teamwork/Collaboration and Excellence.

At our Lighthouse Academy locations, we offer residential programs serving youth and adults in detention facilities, correctional facilities or intervention-based programs as well as community programs serving court-placed students, English Language Learners (ELL), students with Special Education needs, etc. Hope Academy is a general charter school in Grand Rapids, MI serving a large population of ELL and Title I qualifying students.

So, if you have a passion for education, desire being a part of a values-driven team and want to serve at-risk youth, come join a growing team and make a positive difference in the life of a child!

To learn more about who we are and who we serve, we encourage you to visit our website: www.integrityedservices.org.

GENERAL PURPOSE: In the role of a Paraprofessional, you will be under the direct supervision of a certified teacher, and will responsible for working as a team member to assist with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives. This individual will also have a role in certain non-instructional and concept/skill reinforcement tasks and providing students the opportunity for additional adult/student relationships.

This role offers you the opportunity to make a difference by directly impacting the life of a student. In addition, you will receive regular coaching and development opportunities to grow your skills and career, including opportunities to earn a teaching degree.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist the teacher in monitoring and helping students complete their lessons, projects, and other goals.
• Participate in the student goal writing and review process with other staff, the student, their family, and other community members, as applicable (e.g., PO officers, etc).
• Assist the teacher and therapist in planning the school day’s schedule and process the day and help close up the classroom after the school day ends.
• Give creative input to school projects/lessons that will effectively teach students.
• Assist the teacher to address students’ needs individually, in small groups, or with the entire group.
• Teach to multiple learning styles of the students.
• Apply discipline procedures set by policy and/or school administration, as needed.
• Identify and implement incentives and motivation enhancement approaches with the students to encourage positive behavior and academic achievement.
• Be detail-oriented and organized, for example, grade papers, track student progress, think ahead to the needs of the students and classroom, etc.
• Be self-motivated and independent in completion of responsibilities, while providing and receiving input from the other team members.
• Attend school related activities including, but not limited to field trips, family dinners, school-related events with students/families, conferences, and parent conferences
• Participate in group supervision with the principal.
• Participate in weekly team meetings with all school staff. Report on education issues, provide advocacy and support, and communicate with outside agencies, as appropriate in order to coordinate the educational program and needs of the student.
• Participate in in-services, trainings and retreats, as expected, including but not limited to non-physical crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation, etc.
• Monitor classroom, enabling teacher to make school contacts and/or do lesson plans.
• Meet attendance and timeliness expectations.
• May, in the absence of the teacher, periodically help the substitute teacher facilitate or coordinate the lesson that the regularly assigned teacher provides OR serve as a substitute teacher.
• Proctor testing.
• Assist with coverage during arrival, passing time, and dismissal from school.
• Perform all other duties, as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and/or Experience: Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education (equal to 60 semester hours); or obtain an Associate’s Degree (or higher); required. Experience working with youth and/or families in an educational setting is preferred.

Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to students, parents, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematic Skills: Ability to do simple computations, calculate percentages, and use a calculator.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to apply verbal de-escalation skills as part of crisis intervention. Ability to work as a part of a team.

Computer Skills: Knowledge of Google and/or Microsoft applications and/or willingness to learn needed computer skills specific to this position.

Training: Must participate in and complete annual training, Professional Development, and various other training as deemed appropriate for position.

Other Qualifications: Must pass criminal history records search, physical and drug screen, if required.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information. The employee is frequently required to walk, and move about within the school. The employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk or hear. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters in a school environment. The employee routinely uses standard office/classroom equipment such as computers, tablets, smartboards, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

COVID-19 considerations:

We are following all regulations from the State and the County Health Department.

School type:

• Charter school

Ability to commute/relocate:

• West Olive, MI: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• k-12: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Contract: 260 days