KIPP Colorado

Affective Needs Paraprofessional at KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School

Middle School - Denver, CO - Full Time

About the Affective Needs Paraprofessional Role: The Affective Needs Paraprofessional will work closely with the Affective Needs Teachers to provide a high level of support for our students with Affective Needs (Emotional and Behavior Disabilities).  This position demands someone who has a strong ability to develop relationships with at-risk students, has experience in deescalating students with anger or behavioral issues, and has a desire to teach.

About KIPP: Together with families and communities, KIPP creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students. 

Who we are: KIPP Colorado Public Schools is a network of six free college-preparatory public charter schools open to all students. Our 350-person staff educates 2,600 students from ECE to 12th grade. At KIPP Colorado, we partner with our KIPPsters, educators, families and communities to ensure that we are all united around the goal of a choice-filled future for our KIPPsters. Our KIPP Forward Team supports our 1,000+ high school Alumni as they create their own paths. Our core values of excellence, belonging, belief, advocacy and courage are central to who we are and how we operate at all levels of our organization.

What we do: We believe in the unique gifts and brilliance of every student. We believe in setting a high bar for joy and academic excellence to ensure the infinite possibilities our students have before them become a reality. We aspire to create and reinforce a culture of achievement, belonging and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student's needs, skills, and interests.

Role Responsibilities and More About How You'll Spend Your Time in this Role
Professional Responsibilities 

  • Believe deeply in the mission, values, and Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn 
  • Assume personal responsibility for student achievement 
  • Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines
  • Provide an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning (regardless of my role and its proximity to students)
  • Take ownership for the development of your craft (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with a manager, implement feedback, engage in active practice, etc.)
  • Commit to being prepared. Such as; internalizing and preparing for lessons; preparing for O3s/coaching, preparing for meetings, coaching, PD, etc. 
  • Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules 
  • Consistently leverage existing professional tools, including but not limited to Google Suite (google documents, etc.) and Microsoft Suite (including but not limited to your KIPP Colorado email, Teams chat / meetings, Teams phone, and Microsoft outlook) 
  • Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities
  • Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement 
  • Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals 
  • Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings
  • Actively engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development
  • Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives
  • Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis, assuring that feedback is shared directly with the intended recipient. Ensure that feedback is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for students
  • Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement- including events, home visits, calls home, and other determined and related requirements
  • Your role, professional development, org wide meetings, etc may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events 
  • Other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, school support duties, etc.) 

Daily Work Streams

  • Work flexibly across multiple contexts: 1:1 with a student as the main responsibility of this role but also to include: small groups, push in, and pull-out contexts
  • Execute daily interventions and accommodations for individual students on caseload, both academic and social-emotional
  • Mentor and foster strong relationships with all students with IEPs and those in the MTSS process
  • Deescalate students when they are emotionally dysregulated 
  • Assist school Student Services Team and Leadership Team with students on consulting with behavior
  • Participate in a daily huddle with the Student Services Team to discuss daily needs of students, goals, level, and targeted support
  • Print, gather, and organize work for student(s) on caseload when the student(s) is absent or when out of class
  • Review data and daily student goals with student(s) on caseload
  • Collect and enter data for student(s) on caseload on duration and frequency of dysregulation antecedent, behavior and consequences, and progress monitoring for IEP goals and objectives
  • Work one-on-one with student(s) in general education classes or intervention room to support movement , executive functioning skills, mindfulness breaks and support academic work prepared by general education teachers 
  • Support general education teachers and special education teachers with preparation for mindfulness or social- emotional lessons daily for student(s) on caseload
  • Support general education teachers with student/parent school conferences

 Collaboration

  • Collaborate with Special Education Teachers, classroom teachers, and mental health staff to support classroom social emotional strategies, crisis plans, or behavior and emotional regulation plans
  • Support with weekly data collection
  • Participate in a daily huddle with staff to discuss student(s), goals, level, and targeted support

Role Level Specifics, Scope of Work, and Level of Responsibility

About the skills and qualifications you will bring to this role: 

  • High school diploma (required)
  • Bachelor’s degree (preferred)
  • A full understanding and Commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience (more about that HERE) (required) 
  • Flexibility 
  • Willing to participate in deescalating students (required) 
  • Desire to work with youth from challenging situations
  • Experience with care taking or mentoring 
  • Ability to manage data and communication through various Google and Outlook platform
  • Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail; outstanding written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
  • Proactive problem solver who demonstrates initiative and teamwork
  • Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work
  • Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to help the school reach a level of academic excellence
  • High level of detail orientation and sound excellent organizational skills
  • Strong communication, feedback and facilitation skills
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
  • Entrepreneurial mindset, with the creativity and versatility to work productively in a fast-paced environment
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple deadlines and tasks with meticulous attention to detail
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop productive working relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
  • Passionate commitment to KIPP Colorado mission and to high standards of excellence

Compensation and Benefits: Employee retention and satisfaction is imperative for KIPP Colorado. We seek to provide competitive compensation and benefits including the following:

  • Competitive Market Salary: Starting salary for this role begins at $40,310 and is commensurate with experience
    • Please submit a comprehensive resume to assure all your experience is accounted for! Tip: We don't care if your resume is more than one page, we are eager to see and compensate you for all of your experience and accomplishments
  • Excellent Healthcare Plan: 100% of employee-only monthly premium paid by KIPP Colorado and options for family enrollment and coverage, through United Healthcare 
  • Time Off!!!: More than 6 weeks of annual vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO) 
    • Based on hire date, employees are eligible for up to 8 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) 
    • All employees receive summer break through an organization-wide closure, based on work location and position
    • Access to parental and medical leave: includes 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid for a total of 12 weeks (after your first year)
  • Career Trajectory: Access to opportunity to move up, across schools, and grow your career during weekly coaching sessions to refine your craft
  • Mental Health Care: Immediate and ongoing access to mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program
  • Technology & Access: Equipment provided: laptop & phone 
  • Retirement Planning: Participation in the Colorado PERA retirement program, including a PERA 401k option
  • Move to Join Us: Relocation reimbursement (when applicable)
  • Additional Pay: Most schools offer various stipend opportunities
  • Other Insurance Options: 
    • Wellness reimbursement
    • Voluntary employee, spousal, and child life insurance
    • Voluntary long term disability insurance
    • Voluntary short term disability insurance
    • Optional Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Additional Information: For more information, you can view our benefits FAQ here 

KIPP Colorado Schools is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. KIPP Colorado Schools, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School, KIPP Northeast Elementary, KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy and KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds

Apply: Affective Needs Paraprofessional at KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School
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Thank you for your interest in KIPP Colorado and our current open roles, we are excited to begin our conversation about potentially welcoming you to our team! In lieu of a quick 30 minute phone screen, please answer the following questions, below. Our recruitment team will review your response and be in touch over the coming week.

*Please note: We know that resumé advice and best practices vary. At KIPP Colorado, submitting an updated and comprehensive resumé is essential. We use resumés to help guide your salary offer (if you are offered a role) Please assure all aligned experience is outlined on your resumé.

*if you need an accommodation, please email us immediately at [email protected] or indicate that request in the space below:**
What interests you about working for KIPP Colorado? What compelled you to apply?

Thinking Prompts:
-- Where do you see alignment between your personal beliefs and what you know about KIPP?
-- Why are you interested in working with students who are disportionately affected by systemic racism?
-- What draws you to KIPP Colorado/the city of Denver, specifically?*
Please read our Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.​

How will you personally align with and how will you personally contribute to this mission?*
How do you build relationships with students--how does it look, sound, feel?*
As you may know, KIPP Colorado schools are distributed thorough-out the Denver area, with schools (Elementary, Middle, and High) in both the Southwest and Far Northeast regions of the city. Please indicate your geographical preference below:*
As you may know, KIPP Colorado current serves students from Early Childhood Education (3 & 4 yrs old) all the way through graduation (12th Grade) and beyond (KIPP Forward). Please indicate which grade level/s are your preference:*
How did you learn about this opportunity with KIPP Colorado?*
What do you think about using data to inform compensation?*
Are you authorized to work in the United States?*
Have you been convicted, pleaded guilty or no contest to a crime, or are criminal charges pending against you?*
Are you an alumni of a KIPP school?*
Are you a current KIPP Colorado employee?*
What is your gender identity?*
What is your racial/ethnic identity? Note you can select multiple.*
Are you a first generation college graduate?*
Were you referred by a current KIPP Colorado staff member? If yes, please provide their first and last name.
Do you consider yourself to be bilingual in Spanish (can speak, read, and write)?*
Human Check*