Mastery Charter Schools·Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The paraprofessional provides academic and social-emotional support to special education students through individual and small group instruction. Responsibilities include managing student behavior across school environments and assisting with personal maintenance and domestic needs.
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 paraprofessional shows an unwavering commitment to student achievement to improve the knowledge, skills, and lives of students. The paraprofessional works with children individually and in small groups to ensure that students meet academic and social-emotional success in the classroom as measured by mastery of IEP goals, progress monitoring data, and/or academic achievement data. \n
Ability to assist classroom teacher to teach and positively manage the behavior of special education students; this includes supporting students’ behavior across all environments of the school including inclusion classes, lunch, and cooperative play Ability to assist with domestic and personal maintenance (including meal preparation, direct and assistive feeding, diapering, cleaning, sanitizing toys, play objects, etc.) Ability to provide small group instruction/interventions Ability to maintain sensitive, confidential information Must be able to work collaboratively in a non-traditional, urban environment Participation in relevant professional development
Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant current special education methodologies and techniques Outstanding instructional skills, including the ability to motivate and challenge students and maintain an orderly classroom environment A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement A belief that all students should be held to high academic standards Demonstrated professionalism and responsibility, and a strong work ethic A positive, high-energy attitude and a drive for personal excellence The ability to problem-solve and a sense of humor are required
Associate’s Degree (or at least 48 college credits) or passing score of ParaPro exam required; education-related field preferred Experience working with adolescents, school-setting experience preferred Experience working with students receiving special education services
Standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, speak loudly and clearly, seeing and hearing things both near and far away, stooping, kneeling, fine finger and hand manipulation in use of a computer, chalkboard, dry erase board or projector, repetitive hand and arm motion
This role is eligible for a $1,000 signing bonus! New classroom assistants start at $41,500, with Mastery offering up to $49,000 based on experience and education. Salaries range from $41,500 to $58,250, with growth opportunities as your career progresses.
Market context
Teaching assistant openings in Pennsylvania are often driven by school staffing needs, especially in classrooms supporting students with special needs. These roles can be competitive because employers often prefer candidates with an associate degree or college credits, plus experience with children, crisis intervention training, and CPR. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then highlight any special education, behavior support, or safety training in your application.
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