K-8: Special Education Aide - Boston, MA (2024-2025)

Company Description

Our Mission

The mission of all of KIPP Massachusetts schools is to create an environment where students develop the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college and the world beyond.

Our program is based on :

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.
• A high regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.
• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.
• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future.

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, Multilingual Learners (MLL), and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies.

We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career.

Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Vision

At KIPP Massachusetts, we believe that Knowledge is Power. Every day, our team and family have the opportunity to either perpetuate systems of oppression or disrupt them.

We are compelled by the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Therefore, we continuously commit to operating as an anti-racist organization. Read more at

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two districts. Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA.

Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more campuses, which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter.

Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 66% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 23% are African American and 11% are other races / ethnicities.

In Boston, KIPP Academy Boston Elementary (serving grades K-4), and KIPP Academy Boston (serving grades 5-8), are both under our Boston charter.

Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district, K-8. 68% of our students in Boston are African American, 30% are Hispanic and 2% are other races / ethnicities.

Across both districts, KIPP Massachusetts serves over 2,200 students.

KIPP National

KIPP Massachusetts partners with the KIPP Foundation, or KIPP National, which is a non-profit national network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving elementary, middle and high school students.

KIPP National has a 25-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life.

There are 242 KIPP schools in 20 states plus the District of Columbia educating over 100,000 students on their path to and through college and career.

We believe that excellent academic, safe and structured schools, empowered teachers, an emphasis on character development and support through college are the foundation for student success, and we strive to provide this for every student.

All KIPP schools, whether they are in Massachusetts or in other states, are part of the free public school system in their respective states and enrollment is open to all students.

KIPP public charter schools are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to deliver high-quality academic results for students.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom Responsibilities

Guide and assist individual students (1 : 1 support) and / or group of students with the requisite attention needed, which is separate from the general class

Under the direction of the Lead Teacher and / or Supervisor, complement classroom instruction to help maximize the learning opportunities for students on a caseload including, but not limited to :

Assist classroom teachers in creating curriculum modifications for specific students

Provide support to Lead Teachers, Residents, and / or Fellows by carrying out lesson plans and assisting with learning materials

Provide testing accommodations, including supervising students completing tests in a separate location or during an extended time

Review and correct student work assignments

Assist in the implementation of behavioral intervention plans which may involve use of positive reinforcement strategies, behavior modification, and other skills or knowledge to ensure safety and success for individual students

Assist individual students with self-advocacy about particular needs while in the classroom

Facilitate and support social interactions and foster the development of positive relationships between students on the caseload and their peers and teachers

Constantly assess progress, communicate results clearly, and use data to inform decisions and set goals

May physically assist with physical needs of students, as needed

School and Professional Responsibilities

Obtain required requirements for an Aide within one year of hire, which includes one of the following :

Associate’s Degree OR

48 college credit hours OR

Pass the ParaPro Assessment with a score of 464 with study resources and support from KIPP MA

Provide aide coverage and support to other classrooms and grade levels as needed

Be available for an extended workday, as needed, to support colleagues, students, and families outside of school hours

Perform necessary support duties including, but not limited to, coverage, bus, lunch, and dismissal duties

Collaborate with grade level teams to provide support, guidance, and advocacy concerning the students on the caseload

Dependable attendance according to our school calendar

Regional Responsibilities

Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively

Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

Demonstrated ability to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make reasonable judgments and decisions in a timely manner in accordance with the needs of the school

Self-awareness, flexibility and emotional intelligence to navigate a setting with students who express diverse needs

The consistent use of interpersonal and self-management skills to effectively support behavioral and emotional needs of students to ensure a safe and inclusive environment, as well as build relationships and manage conflict with students, staff, and caregivers

Effective communication skills to perform assigned duties and to meaningfully exchange information with students, staff, families and others in person, through written communication, in front of groups, and on virtual platforms

Physical mobility to move self in various positions in order to execute duties effectively, which may include kneeling, walking, pushing / pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping and reaching overhead

Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and / or carry 20 pounds of materials or supplies and to physically restrain a student to keep from harming themself and / or others in an emergency situation

Manual dexterity sufficient to perform repetitive hand / wrist / arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment

KIPP MA aides are supported in their demanding work by experienced and dedicated leadership and staff who have themselves proven successful in the teaching role.

Our leaders maintain consistent school-wide systems and procedures - academic, behavioral, cultural, logistical - designed to permit aides to do their best work.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that aides will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to attend to physical requirements of students may Include, but are not limited to :

Assisting with personal care (such as eating, bathroom use, personal hygiene) as needed

Mobility needs inside school buildings and outside (such as during recess) as needed

Ability to stand for extended periods of time

Ability to carry or lift items weighing up to 15 lbs or more, as needed

Physical / tactical restraint procedures, as needed

Ability and flexibility to shift in reaction to student need

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Love and unwavering belief in the high potential of all students

Commitment to anti-racism and equity

Demonstrated ability to drive student growth and achievement and to create a warm, inclusive, rigorous learning environment (preferred)

Possess an Associate’s Degree OR have completed 48 college credit hours OR pass the ParaPro Assessment with a score of at least 464 within a year of hire

Experience and / or training in proper physical / tactical restraint procedure (preferred)

Experience and / or training in proper ABA techniques for student support (preferred)

Computer literacy and baseline familiarity with Google Suite

Pass Criminal Background Checks

KIPP MA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables all of our students and staff to thrive.

We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.

We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Additional Information

What We Offer

The minimum base salary for this exempt position is $37,000 to $45,000 (per FTE / 45 hours per week). The role includes a $1,000 signing bonus and an annual $2,000 retention bonus in subsequent years, as well as other bonuses, when eligible.