Paraprofessional

2023-2024

The Biome School

The Biome is a tuition-free, k-5, public charter school that provides a unique academic experience for children who live in the City of St. Louis. Biome students are actively involved in their own learning and are integral to the development of new ideas and ways of thinking. The school’s learner-centered, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) framework guides instruction across disciplines and provides students with rigorous and holistic academic experiences. The learning environment, characterized by high expectations, differentiated instruction, relentless encouragement, and student support, is critical to the academic, social, and emotional progress of Biome learners. Similar to a tropical rainforest biome, which sustains a diverse array of life forms, The Biome School supports the diverse academic interests, skills, and needs of each individual learner.

The Biome School may be a good fit for you if…

• You enjoy the energy and curiosity of young children
• You believe every child has unique gifts and talents
• You enjoy working in an environment where you get to help create the instructional “roadmap”
• You collaborate well and are comfortable sharing your ideas and questions
• You are organized, hard-working, and detail-oriented
• You are excited about working in a school community characterized by high expectations

Position Description

The Biome School seeks a full-time paraprofessional to work with the dynamic special education team and to provide ongoing and collaborative support that maximizes student learning and achievement. The ideal candidate will be reliable, organized, and solutions-oriented, and will actively participate in learning as stipulated by the Individual Education Plan. Experience with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder is preferred, but not a must. Applicants can expect paid, on-the-job training with highly qualified and responsive teachers and therapists, and a teams-based approach to behavior management, instructional services, and continuity of care.

Paraprofessional Responsibilities

• Targeted 1:1 support within the general education setting to support the learning and social engagement of students with educational disabilities
• Co-implement intervention, classroom instruction, data collection, and student management as stipulated by the IEP
• Additional work with individual students and/or small groups to boost understanding of the content
• Work with the Classroom Leader and Collaborative Care Team to identify and resolve barriers to learning
• Supervise learners during transition periods, lunch, and recess
• Additional responsibilities, as needed, to promote and improve learning

Qualifications

Individuals with at least one of the following qualifications are eligible to be instructional paraprofessionals:

• 60 college hours
• Associate’s degree or higher
• Passing score on the Missouri ParaPro Assessment (before September 23, 2013)
• Passing score on the Missouri Paraprofessional Assessment (after September 23, 2013)
• Completed Missouri’s 20-hour online substitute training program
• Experience as a classroom teacher, teaching assistant, paraprofessional, or substitute teacher (preferred)

Preferred skills and characteristics

• Motivated by the belief that all students have the capacity for high level learning
• Strong interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills
• Self-confident and resilient
• Adaptive 
• Reliable and engaged
• Approachable and collaborative
• Previous experience working with students with educational disabilities, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder

To apply, please email the following items to jharris@thebiomeschool.org:

1. Resumé (not to exceed two pages; 12-point font)
2. Cover letter, which explains the candidate’s interest in the position as well as the skills and experiences that make the applicant a good candidate for the position (not to exceed two pages; 12-point font)

Phone calls will not be accepted.