RI Academic Paraprofessional (2026-27)

School Year: 2026-2027

The role of a Paraprofessional at Achievement First: 

Achievement First invites passionate educators to apply for the position of Paraprofessional. Working at Achievement First is an ideal position for an educator with deep passion for instruction who is eager to gain rigorous development to help perfect his/her craft. In addition to participating in weekly professional development and team planning meetings, staff receive consistent high-impact coaching and feedback from a school administrator or  teacher-leader. We believe that every child has the ability to succeed and attend college. Our students work extremely hard and are held to very high expectations regarding both their academic achievement and character development. Students are expected to operate in accordance with our  REACH Values (Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship, and Hard Work) both in and outside of school. The Achievement First community is a Team & Family and teachers, school  leaders and support staff work together closely to ensure the academic success and character  development of not only the students in their classroom, but all students in their school. We invest  in each of our staff members with the understanding that they alone have the power to achieve our  mission of providing all students with the academic and character skills necessary to succeed in a competitive world. 

The Paraprofessional is a full-time position responsible for creating behavior systems, protocols  and consequences in conjunction with the dean of school culture and the principal. They will develop a strong rapport with students and maintain behavior systems created to support students  struggling with behavior. In addition, the behavior specialist will provide critical support to teachers  and administrators during breakfast, lunch and dismissal. 

Responsibilities of Achievement First Paraprofessional include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain a behavior system that supports students who have been  temporarily removed from their classes due to poor behavior, following protocols  established by the school’s leadership team (e.g., bringing students to a quiet room or  space and monitoring students as they work; calling the parent; documenting the  behavior; removing and escorting student back to class, etc.) 
• Create and maintain growth plans and tracking charts for individual students who need special attention, in partnership with the principal Build rapport with students who need behavioral support, checking in with students daily and writing notes to parents providing them with updates 
• Provide administrative support at critical times of the day, such as breakfast, lunch and dismissal. 
• Attend all professional development sessions and staff meetings 
• Assist dean of school culture with related work as required 
• Invest parents and families in their children’s academic success through regular communication of success and challenges 
• Reflect on successes and areas of growth around all areas of teaching; seek to improve performance; receive feedback eagerly 
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a rigorous, joyful, and safe environment
• Assume responsibility for every single scholar’s success by holding all students accountable during transitions, meals, trips, etc. 

Skills and Characteristics 

• Strong instructional and classroom management skills 
• Unyielding commitment to students, self and school’s constant learning and development
• Relentlessness - doing whatever it takes to ensure success 
• Team player 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Highly organized 
• Belief in Achievement First’s mission, educational model, REACH and Core Values
• Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude 

Educational Background and Work Experience 

• Must have prior to hiring: 
  Requirement 1: Has 1 of the following:
  -High School Diploma + Passing Score on the ParaPro Exam
  -60 earned college credits, AA or BA degree

  Required, but can be obtained within first 30 days of employment: 
  Requirement 2: RIDE Teaching Assistant Training Certificate

  Compensation & Benefits

• Employees at Achievement First are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role.  Paraprofessionals’ hourly rate: $20.86
• As a regular full time employee of Achievement First, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and paid Family Leave.