About Mastery:
Founded in 2001, Mastery Schools is a public charter network of 23 K-12 schools in Philadelphia and Camden, serving more than 14,000 students.
At Mastery, we’re on a mission to provide all students with the academic and personal skills they need to succeed after graduation and pursue their dreams. Student achievement is not just a goal for our organization; it's the reason we exist, and every member of our team is dedicated to securing student success. We are also committed to pursuing equity, actively disrupting systemic racism, and addressing the disparities that limit our students' choices.
Our culture is built on respect, service, and the belief that the success of our students, their families, and the communities we serve will help us achieve our mission. We foster a positive, open, and inclusive environment where honesty, humor, and continuous improvement are celebrated.
Join us in creating a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
The Opportunity:
The Paraprofessional plays a vital role in fostering student achievement by providing individualized and small-group support to promote academic and social-emotional growth. Under the direction of the lead classroom teacher, the Paraprofessional assists with instruction, behavior management, and daily classroom operations. Responsibilities also include supporting students’ needs across various school environments, including classrooms, lunch, and play areas. Additionally, the Paraprofessional helps with personal care tasks as needed to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support student learning by reinforcing instruction and assisting with small-group interventions.
- Help manage student behavior positively and proactively across all school settings, including inclusion classes, lunch, and cooperative play.
- Assist with personal care tasks (e.g., feeding, toileting, hygiene) in a respectful and dignified manner.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom environment, including sanitizing materials and ensuring hygiene best practices.
- Provide hands-on assistance with classroom activities, including setting up learning materials and supporting differentiated instruction.
- Monitor and document student progress as directed by the lead teacher.
- Uphold confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.
- Collaborate with educators, therapists, and support staff to promote student success.
- Participate in ongoing professional development and training.
- Perform other duties as assigned that support student learning and classroom operations, as directed by the lead teacher or school leadership.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant current special education methodologies and techniques
- Strong instructional skills, including the ability to engage and motivate students
- Professionalism, reliability, and a collaborative mindset.
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced educational setting.
- Problem-solving ability and a positive attitude.
Education and Experience:
- Associate’s degree or at least 60 college credits (NJ) / 48 college credits (PA), or a passing ParaPro score required.
- Experience in a school setting or working with students receiving special education services is preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- This role may involve physical activities such as assisting students in a classroom setting, moving classroom materials, and physically supporting students with mobility needs. Reasonable accommodations will be made as needed.
Salary and Bonus Information:
- This role is eligible for a $500 signing bonus!
- New specialized services classroom assistants start at an hourly rate of $22.55 with Mastery offering up to $26.63, based on education and experience. Hourly rates range from $22.55 to $31.66, with growth opportunities as your career progresses.
- This is a part-time role where you will work a total of 29 hours/week, Monday-Friday.
Mastery's Benefits Package:
We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Some of our most popular benefits include our 403(b) retirement plan for PA employees (with a 5% match from Mastery for full-time employees), enrollment in the State of New Jersey Pension Plan for NJ employees, a robust Employee Assistance Program, mental health and counseling programs, an annual Professional Development Fund, and discounts and perks at a myriad of retailers, travel organizations, insurance providers, and so much more, as well as access to the Health Advocate Helpdesk to help you navigate various benefits-related topics. Please go here to see all of our Benefits offerings!
Annual Calendar:
As you plan to make Mastery your new work home, please feel free to review our calendar here. We like to think our calendar is a benefit of working here too!
Why You Should Apply:
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. Mastery may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.