RMDA Academic Paraprofessional (Trinidad) - Summit Education Group

Rocky Mountain Digital Academy

Academic Paraprofessional

The Academic Paraprofessional is responsible for engagement and success of each student. This position reports to the Rocky Mountain Digital Academy Principal. This position abides by and supports the vision, mission, values, policies and procedures of Rocky Mountain Digital Academy, Rocky Mountain Digital Academy’s authorizer, as well as relevant state policies and regulations.

Vision of Position:

The Academic Paraprofessional’s primary responsibility is to ensure each assigned student is engaged in meaningful positive processes that lead to academic and social emotional success.  The Academic Paraprofessional serves as the primary liaison between the school, community and life opportunities.  The Academic Paraprofessional position  addresses the student and family personal success, general conditions and transitions in the student’s life.  Assists in:  the development of the student’s discovery of career options, navigating obstacles to academic and social/emotional success,  and choosing appropriate courses of action.  The Academic Paraprofessional mentors the student through the development of the student’s “Life Plan,” which explores the student’s dreams, aspirations and personal goals.  This process cultivates and nurtures the student's self-efficacy, esteem, and joy of lifelong learning by building a positive relationship with the student and family.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide direct academic support (e.g., tutoring) to a case-load of RMDA students.

2. Daily student interaction including engagement, attendance, progress monitoring, and providing support to ensure life success.

3. Model effective study skills while providing aligned tutoring support as needed, and assist in the facilitation of options to master graduation competencies in collaboration with Academic and Social Emotional Support Staff.

4. Use the Every Opportunity to Succeed (EOTS) process to provide support and interventions, as necessary, to ensure the academic and social emotional success of each student.

5. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of attendance, interactions, and supports provided to ensure success including, but not limited to work records, agreements, and adjustments that have been utilized to personalize each student’s graduation requirements.

6. Arrange and coordinate each student’s enrollment, orientation, intake and subsequent meetings to build a comprehensive plan to support individual academic, social, and emotional needs.

7. Reflect on each student’s transcript per Rocky Mountain Digital Academy’s transcript and credit policies, a graduation plan, and a course schedule appropriate to their individual grade and skill level.

8. Assist each student in exploring life options to develop and maintain their Individual Life Plan, to include their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP).

9. Assist each student in exploring and connecting with postsecondary options, including, but not limited to:  military, concurrent enrollment and career and technical education, as well as college and financial aid applications.

10. Assist each student in connecting to and participating in internship, apprenticeship, and job shadowing opportunities aligned with their LifePlan/ICAP.

11. Recognize and document social and emotional indicators and assist in the referral process to connect students to aligned resources.

12. If truancy is active or appropriate to file, all court and school’s procedures are to be followed, including, but not limited to, preparing court documents and participating in hearings.

13. Attend special education staffing and collaborate with ESS staff to provide appropriate services for each student with an IEP and participate in the transition planning process.

14. Attending graduation meetings when appropriate.

15. Participate in weekly school family support meetings.

General Responsibilities:

1. Assists in providing experiential learning opportunities to students, including but not limited to clubs, field trips, residencies, Ventures, and face-to-face or virtual experiences.

2. Assists in student recruitment and retention of students.

3. Assists in the marketing efforts of the school.

4. Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with students, parents, and RMDA staff to enhance the instructional environment.

5. Maintains a high level of communication (both verbally and in writing) with other RMDA staff, students, and parents to deliver program information and address individual student needs.

6. Maintains up-to-date, accurate, effective and efficient record keeping procedures.

7. Models professional and ethical standards when dealing with students, parents, staff, and community.

8. Meets professional obligations through efficient work habits, such as:  meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating resources and meetings in an effective and timely manner, and demonstrating respect for others.

9. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education, Experience and Training:

1. Must meet Colorado Department of Education Paraprofessional requirements:

   1. An Associate’s (or higher) degree; OR

   2. Completing at least two years (48 credit hours) of study at an institution of higher education; OR

   3. Passing a formal state or local assessment measuring one’s knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing and mathematics.

2. Experience preferred in a variety of software programs (e.g., spreadsheets, email, and web conferencing).

3. Experience preferred in reviewing data such as transcripts, work experience, or other potential credit-worthy experience.

4. Experience preferred with multi-age and multicultural groups.

Certificates, Licenses, & Registrations:

1. Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License.  Must be an insurable driver under Rocky Mountain Digital Academy’s insurance policy.

Skills, Knowledge, & Equipment:

1. Willingness and ability to help staff identify and respond to individual student’s needs (e.g., academic, life skills, physical and social).

2. Ability to facilitate and coordinate needed interventions for students within local communities.  

3. Willingness to be available for ongoing support for students and families.

4. Skills in providing professional development to site-based staff on the importance of student ICAPs, concurrent enrollment, and work-readiness opportunities.

5. Excellent diagnostic skill, oral and written communication skills, organizational and scheduling skills, report writing and record keeping, flexibility, good interpersonal skills, problem solving, collaborative decision-making and conflict-resolution skills.

6. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management, oral and written communication skills.

7. Knowledgeable and comfortable working with technology.  Able to competently and persistently apply problem-solving skills toward technology issues.

8. Demonstrates computer skills to include Microsoft Office, web-based and database programs; able to competently and persistently apply problem-solving skills toward technology issues.

9. Willingness to travel regionally as required.

10. Understands the benefits of continuous learning and takes personal responsibility for professional development.

11. Ethical, honest, and good-humored.

12. Strong work ethic to achieve both school and personal goals.

13. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with regard to employees, students, and families.

Compensation:
The compensation package is Paraprofessional average based.  This includes medical, dental, and life insurance.  Education and years of experience will also be added.

Contract Length:
Year-round

Location:
Various
Closing Date:
Open until filled

About Rocky Mountain Digital Academy:Rocky Mountain Digital Academy is an accredited Colorado public contract school that serves approximately 400 students across the state via online and face-to-face mentoring and instruction. Rocky Mountain Digital Academy individualizes each student's academic, career, and life plan according to their needs, talents and desires.  Rocky Mountain Digital Academy is not a traditional school setting. Staff members typically work from offices located in retail environments where the workday and work year is longer than the traditional teaching environment. Staff members work with students and families whom they are expected to build and maintain a healthy positive role model relationship for the duration of the students' time at Rocky Mountain Digital Academy.

Rocky Mountain Digital Academy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.