Kalamazoo Covenant Academy is hiring a Paraprofessional.  Must have Michigan teacher certification and endorsement in the subject. 

Covenant Academy is a year-round alternative high school diploma program for students ages 15-22. We are a mission-based school that meets students where they are, works to identify and eliminate barriers, and builds personal and meaningful parent-like relationships with each student. We offer half-day sessions, blended learning opportunities and personalized education plans to all youth who seek help, with a priority of concern and commitment to those who are most at risk and no other service is available. We will advocate with and on behalf of our youth to raise awareness in the community that all children and youth have the right to pertinent education, and to love, respect and genuine concern. 

Essential Duties

• Paraprofessionals provide instructional assistance under the supervision of classroom Teacher(s) or other instructional leaders as assigned.
•  Paraprofessionals assist in the preparation and delivery of unit plans and provide individual and small group instruction. 
• High quality Paraprofessionals attend staff professional development and conscientiously apply the strategies and research studied there. 
• Paraprofessionals actively work to understand and support student assessment, particularly for those students who require interventions. 
• Paraprofessionals are responsible for maintaining logs and for understanding the scope of services provided according to grant funding regulations and guidelines (if applicable). 
• In addition, the Paraprofessional is responsible for any and all further duties as assigned.

Title I Paraprofessionals provide supplementary instructional assistance to students who have been identified to receive additional academic support under the Title I program. This position should be viewed as vital to the school improvement plan implementation and student achievement and ensures that students who need the most help receive instruction support from qualified Paraprofessionals. Title I Paraprofessionals are responsible for completing semi-annual certifications or personnel activity reports as required.

Qualifications

Supervision

Individuals in this position must be able to apply effective supervision methods. The Paraprofessional will be responsible for assisting with the supervision of students.

Planning & Implementation

An effective employee in this position will provide effective instructional assistance within a designated program. In addition, the Paraprofessional must be able to plan and implement a strategy, under the supervision of the assigned instructional leader, for improving student success based on each individual student’s needs.

Knowledge & Expertise

Qualified employees in this position will possess the ability to maintain a safe and orderly environment. In addition, the Paraprofessional must be able to account for multiple students at once. The Paraprofessional must have knowledge of classroom reinforcement, intervention, behavior reporting and the proper treatment of special needs students.

Reasoning Ability

An employee in this position must be able to effectively draw conclusions based on their ability to identify problems, collect information and establish facts. In addition, an individual in this position will possess the ability to provide both logical and abstract solutions in standard and non-standard situations.

Interpersonal Qualities

A qualified employee in this position will possess outstanding oral and written communication skills. This employee must have the ability to provide effective responses to all inquiries from all parties, including students, parents, staff, Partner Solutions, the community and the Academy Board. An employee in this position must also be able and willing to work with staff and administration to problem solve.

*All employees must successfully pass a criminal background check.

*All employees must follow the policies as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Education & Experience

The Paraprofessional must meet one of the following requirements:

• 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); or

• Meet a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment:

o Knowledge of, and the ability to assist in, instructing reading, writing and mathematics; or

o Knowledge of and the ability to assist in, instructing reading readiness, writing readiness and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.

It is the employee’s responsibility to understand and fulfill any license and training obligations specific to position and/or for equipment that will be operated.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

In order to successfully perform the essential duties of this job, the employee would ideally be able to meet the following physical demands:

• Occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

• Stand and walk frequently.

• Withstand all demands presented by outside weather conditions at any time of the year.

• Assist/lift students if necessary.

• Withstand a moderate noise level.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Company Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Medical, Vision, & Dental Plans

• 8% 401(k) company match

• Life, ADD, STD, LTD 100% paid by the employer

• Voluntary Plans Available

For more information on Kalamazoo Covenant Academy, please visit our website at https://covenantacademies.org/kalamazoo/. 

CS Partners/Partner Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information,  military or veteran status, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, height, weight, or any other protected status under federal, state or local laws.