Reach Associate Paraprofessional

About Jackson Public Schools

Jackson Public Schools is the second-largest school district in Mississippi, serving approximately 18,000 students, representing more than 80 percent of school-aged children in the state's capital.  Jackson Public Schools is an innovative, urban district committed to excellence that will provide every student with quality education in partnership with parents and the community.

About the Reach Associate Paraprofessional

The Reach Associate™ paraprofessional typically provides both instructional and non-instructional support to a Multi-Classroom Leader™ team of teachers, as designated by the team leader, with a focus on providing small-group tutoring under the guidance of the team leader and team. The paraprofessional may supervise time on projects, skills practice, and digital learning while providing small-group tutoring. The paraprofessional may work closely with the teaching team to complete various administrative tasks and non-instructional paperwork. They may also manage procedures and supervise student behavior during transitions, lunch, recess, assemblies, and other unstructured activities, and while the teacher(s) deliver instruction. All activities are guided and directed by the team leader. The paraprofessional may serve in a multi-team role, supporting several teaching teams when team members need release time to work with other teachers, or support a single team primarily through providing small-group tutoring in a tutoring lab, by pulling small groups out of classrooms, or by pushing into classrooms to work with small groups.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children
• Ideal candidate has previous experience supporting foundational literacy small groups
• Bachelor’s degree a plus, but not required
• Demonstrated interpersonal and group effectiveness working with adults and students, including interpersonal understanding and action to maintain relationships needed for success in a school or similar environment.

The Reach Associate Paraprofessional is responsible for the following:

Classroom and School Environment

• Hold students accountable for high expectations of behavior and engagement that are ambitious and measurable
• Contribute to a culture of respect, enthusiasm, and rapport
• Manage student behavior during transitions and less structured time (e.g., recess, lunch)
• Monitor independent work time in classroom while teacher provides instruction

Instruction

• Tutor small groups and individuals, under the direction and using the tools/rubrics of the supervising teachers
• Supervise projects, skill practice, and digital learning for early literacy
• Supports team with foundational literacy skills practice

 Professional Responsibilities

• Solicit and eagerly receive feedback from supervisor and team members to improve professional skills
• Maintain administrative duties on behalf of teacher (such as taking attendance, entering grades, scheduling parent conferences, preparing student activities and assignments, checking homework, additional paperwork)
• Collaborate with teacher(s), tutor(s), volunteers, and digital lab monitor(s), if applicable
• Participate in professional development opportunities at school, including team leader-led on-the-job development

   Critical Competencies

• Teamwork (TMW)
• The ability and actions needed to work with others to achieve shared goals.
• Flexibility (FL)
• The ability to adapt one’s approach to the requirements of a situation and to change tactics. 

Key Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, problem-solving and consensus-building expertise, and ability to delegate responsibilities effectively
• Strong instructional foundation and current knowledge of library sciences
• Loyal, honest and dependable. Takes ownership and pride in their work
• Ability to interpret policy, procedures and data

Salary Information:

Jackson Public Schools does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age.