Special Education Paraprofessional

About Sankofa Montessori Sankofa Montessori is Georgia's only State Charter Schools Commission-approved Public Montessori Charter School. Our mission is to empower children with the knowledge, skills, and agency needed to lead purposeful lives. Through a culturally responsive, child-centered, and family-centered Montessori education, we develop in all students the knowledge, skills, and agency to have lives of purpose. At Sankofa Montessori, the Special Education Paraprofessional is a critical member of the Student Support Team. This role provides academic, behavioral, social-emotional, communication, and adaptive support to students with disabilities, helping ensure they can fully access instruction and participate in the school community. The position reports to the Manager of Student Support. Location: 5881 Phillips Drive, Forest Park, GA 30297 Start Date: July 2026 Position Overview The Special Education Paraprofessional provides direct support to students with disabilities in both general education and specialized settings. This position is primarily assigned to provide dedicated 1:1 support to a student based on their individualized educational, behavioral, communication, and adaptive needs. In addition to supporting their assigned student, the paraprofessional may also provide support within assigned classrooms and assist other students as directed by the Director of Student Support and Services or school administration. The Special Education Paraprofessional works closely with classroom teachers, special education staff, related service providers, administrators, families, and outside support providers to implement academic, behavioral, communication, social-emotional, and adaptive supports. The paraprofessional plays a critical role in ensuring students can safely access instruction, build independence, make progress toward IEP goals, and participate meaningfully in all aspects of the school community. The ideal candidate is patient, flexible, highly attentive, and skilled at implementing individualized supports while maintaining high expectations for student growth and independence. Experience collecting and maintaining accurate student data is essential. Experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and familiarity with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) practices are strongly preferred. This position may require supporting the assigned student with personal care needs, including restroom support, toileting routines, and hygiene assistance. Candidates must be comfortable providing these supports while maintaining student dignity, privacy, and respect. Key Responsibilities Student Support

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support to an assigned student while also supporting instruction and student needs within assigned classrooms as directed.
• Support students in accessing grade-level instruction and participating in classroom activities.
• Implement accommodations, modifications, behavior intervention plans (BIPs), and other individualized supports with fidelity.
• Support students in developing academic, communication, social-emotional, self-regulation, and independence skills.
• Assist students during classroom instruction, transitions, specials, lunch, recess, and other school activities.
• Promote student independence by providing the least intrusive level of support necessary.
• Support students in maintaining engagement, attention, and positive participation throughout the school day.

Behavior Support

• Implement behavior intervention plans and evidence-based behavior support strategies with fidelity.
• Utilize ABA-informed practices and strategies when appropriate.
• Support students during periods of frustration, dysregulation, or behavioral escalation.
• Reinforce positive behaviors, self-regulation skills, and social interactions.
• Collaborate with teachers and support staff to ensure consistency in behavior expectations and interventions across settings.

Data Collection & Documentation

• Collect, record, and maintain accurate data related to student behavior, academic performance, communication, and intervention effectiveness.
• Assist with progress monitoring and data collection related to IEP goals, behavior plans, and other individualized supports.
• Ensure data integrity, reliability, and confidentiality.
• Communicate student progress, concerns, and observations to the educational team.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with general education teachers, special education teachers, related service providers, administrators, families, and outside support providers.
• Participate in team meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Support implementation of schoolwide systems and student support plans.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student information and educational records.

Personal Care & Student Safety

• Support assigned students with personal care needs, including restroom use, toileting routines, and hygiene assistance, as needed.
• Assist students in developing independence with self-care and adaptive living skills when appropriate.
• Maintain student dignity, privacy, and confidentiality at all times.
• Support student safety during periods of escalation, dysregulation, or crisis.
• Assist students with transitions throughout the school environment.

Other Responsibilities

• Supervise students during arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, specials, field trips, and other school activities as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher, Manager of Student Support and Services, or school administration.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role? Successful candidates:

• Demonstrate exceptional patience, empathy, and consistency.
• Collect accurate and reliable data.
• Follow intervention plans and support strategies with fidelity.
• Build strong relationships while maintaining high expectations.
• Remain calm under pressure and respond professionally to challenging situations.
• Maintains professionalism and emotional constancy in moments of frustration and stress?
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families, and support staff.
• Believe all students can learn, grow, and thrive when provided the right support.

Requirements Qualifications Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with children in educational, clinical, childcare, or community settings.
• Strong data collection, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, and consistent during challenging situations.
• Comfortable providing restroom, toileting, and personal care support when required by a student's needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Warm, firm, and student-centered demeanor.
• Growth mindset and willingness to receive coaching and feedback.
• Ability to complete the physical demands of the role, including standing and walking for extended periods of time and lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Successful background check results required.

Preferred

• Associate's degree or bachelor's degree.
• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification.
• Experience working as an RBT in a school or clinical setting.
• Experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Experience implementing behavior intervention plans and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies.
• Knowledge of special education services, accommodations, and inclusive practices.

Benefits Compensation & Benefits Sankofa Montessori offers competitive compensation and benefits consistent with our compensation philosophy and commitment to attracting and retaining exceptional educators and support staff. This role pays a compensation of $20 per hour. Sankofa Montessori is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and students. Equal Employment Opportunity: Sankofa Montessori provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.