MCA Paraprofessional

MCA PARAPROFESSIONAL

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education. – Martin Luther King Jr.

OVERVIEW & WHO WE ARE

Montrose Classical Academy (MCA) stands at a pivotal moment. In Fall 2026, we'll open our doors to our founding school of K-5 students, growing to serve 440 K-8 students by 2030. But this isn't just about numbers; it's about transformation. We're building a school where:

For Our Students:

• Every child discovers their unique brilliance
• Academic excellence meets joyful learning
• Curiosity and confidence flourish daily

For Our Families:

• Every family is a valued partner
• Parents help shape our community's future

For Our Teachers:

• Teaching means focusing on students, not paperwork
• Work-life balance isn't just a phrase - it's our promise
• Support systems free teachers to teach
• Professional growth fits within the workday

For Our Community:

• Diverse perspectives enrich learning
• Strong relationships build lasting impact
• Together, we create tomorrow's leaders

This is your chance to build more than a school. It's an opportunity to create a transformative community that will impact generations of students in Montrose County.

POSITION DETAILS

• Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly
• Work Schedule: 192 calendar days per school year (approximately July 20 – May 14), per the MCA school calendar
• Work Location: Montrose Classical Academy, Montrose, Colorado
• Work Setting: In-person only. This is not a remote or hybrid position. All duties are performed on-site at MCA's school facility.
• Reports To: School Leader (Principal)
• Start Date: July 20, 2026

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a founding paraprofessional at MCA, you will work alongside classroom teachers to support student learning and create a joyful, rigorous learning environment. You will provide direct support to students while helping maintain an organized, safe, and welcoming classroom. Your role is essential to ensuring every student receives the individualized attention they need to thrive.

Instructional Support

• Provide small group and one-on-one academic support under the direction of the classroom teacher
• Assist students during independent work time, guided practice, and learning center activities
• Support students who need additional help with reading, math, or other academic content
• Reinforce concepts taught by the classroom teacher through review and practice
• Assist with administering assessments, organizing student work, and preparing instructional materials
• Set up and manage learning centers, classroom libraries, and hands-on activities
• Monitor student progress during independent work and communicate observations to the classroom teacher

Classroom Culture

• Foster a joyful, achievement-oriented learning environment
• Develop character education and student support programs
• Create traditions that celebrate learning and growth
• Build strong classroom management systems
• Implement consistent, positive classroom management aligned with school-wide behavioral expectations
• Build strong, respectful relationships with every student

Collaboration and Professional Growth

• Participate actively in collaborative planning, professional learning communities (PLCs), and meetings
• Engage in regular instructional coaching and feedback cycles with the School Leader (Principal)
• Attend and contribute to all required professional development, including summer training
• Collaborate with paraprofessionals, special education staff, and support personnel to serve all students

Student Support

• Provide additional support to students who need extra help staying on task or following directions
• Assist students with organizational skills, time management, and completing assignments
• Support students' social-emotional needs by modeling positive interactions and helping resolve conflicts
• Help students develop independence and self-advocacy skills
• Supervise students during lunch, recess, transitions, and other non-instructional times

Family Partnership

• Communicate regularly and proactively with families about student progress, strengths, and areas for growth
• Respond to parent communications in a timely and appropriate manner
• Participate in school-wide family engagement events
• Build trusting, respectful relationships with the families of your students

School Community

• Contribute to a joyful, rigorous, and mission-aligned school culture
• Adhere to all MCA policies, the Employee Handbook, and the Charter Contract with the Montrose County School District (MCSD)
• Set the standard for educational excellence in Montrose County

WHO YOU ARE

A Dedicated Student Supporter

• You genuinely care about every student's success and believe all students can learn and grow
• You are patient, flexible, and responsive to students' diverse needs
• You take direction well and work collaboratively with teachers to implement instructional plans
• You are observant and communicate important information about student progress to teachers
• You approach each day with energy, positivity, and a commitment to student growth

A Culture Builder

• You create environments where joy and rigor coexist
• You establish clear expectations with consistent support
• You create classrooms where students feel safe, challenged, and inspired

A Student Champion

• You believe in every child's potential
• You ensure support for diverse learning needs
• You create paths for every student to succeed
• You balance high expectations with necessary support

A Family Partner

• You see parents as essential partners in education
• You create welcoming spaces for family engagement
• You communicate clearly and consistently
• You build trust through transparency and results

A Collaborative Colleague

• You give and receive feedback graciously
• You contribute to a team culture of continuous improvement
• You share your best ideas and learn from others

WHAT YOU BRING

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent AND one of the following:
• Associate's degree or higher, OR
• Completion of at least 48 college credit hours (2 years of study at an institution of higher education), OR
• Passing score on the ParaPro Assessment (or willingness to obtain within 90 days of hire)
• Ability to pass a background check and fingerprinting (required for all school employees)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, students, and families
• Patience, flexibility, and a positive attitude
• Ability to follow directions and implement instructional plans designed by teachers
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professionalism

Preferred Experience

• Bilingual abilities (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with English language learners
• Experience with the Core Knowledge Sequence, Singapore Math, or structured literacy/Science of Reading
• Experience in a classical, content-rich, or knowledge-building school model
• Demonstrated use of data to drive instructional decisions
• Experience with positive behavior management strategies

As a founding paraprofessional, you'll have the rare opportunity to shape not just a school, but a legacy. You'll co-create with a founding team united by a powerful vision of what education can be. Your impact will extend far beyond your tenure, touching generations of students who will walk through our halls.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary:$30,000-$35,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Following the interview process, MCA will work with selected candidates to determine appropriate placement within the range based on verified years of teaching experience and relevant qualifications.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (for full-time employees)
• PERA retirement benefits (Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association)
• Participation in FAMLI (paid family and medical leave)
• Paid sick leave per the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)
• Professional development support, including specialty-specific training
• Instructional coaching and mentorship
• Performance bonus opportunity

TO APPLY

• Submit the following on really:
• Detailed resume highlighting your specialty teaching experience and student impact
• At least three professional references (including at least one current or former supervisor)
• One-Way Video Interview via Spark Hire: Following submission of your really application, you will automatically receive an email with instructions to complete a brief one-way video interview through Spark Hire. You will be asked to respond to a single question on video at your convenience. This step is required for your application to be considered complete. Please check your really messages for your Spark Hire invitation after submitting on really.
• Our Selection Process:
• Application review (really and Spark Hire)
• In-person interviews with Leadership Team
• Offer Letter

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Montrose Classical Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, natural hair texture or protective hairstyle, or any other legally protected characteristic. MCA complies with all applicable federal and Colorado state employment laws, including the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), the Colorado CROWN Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA) STATEMENT

Montrose Classical Academy will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act, and the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000gg). Applicants or employees who require an accommodation should contact the School Leader or HR designee to initiate the interactive accommodation process.

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT

As required by Colorado law for school employees, employment is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (CBI and FBI fingerprint check), as required by C.R.S. § 22-32-109.7 and § 22-32-109.8
• Verification of legal right to work in the United States (Form I-9 / E-Verify)
• Clearance through Colorado Department of Education screening
• Verification of educator licensure, qualifications, and work history

COLORADO’S EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK ACT NOTICE

Salary Range: $30,000–$35,000 annually. Placement within the salary range is determined based on verified years of relevant teaching experience and qualifications, and will be confirmed at the time of offer.

Benefits: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, PERA retirement benefits, Colorado FAMLI (paid family and medical leave) participation, paid sick leave per the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), professional development support, instructional coaching, performance bonus opportunity.

In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (C.R.S. § 8-5-101 et seq.), MCA includes compensation and benefits information in all job postings for positions to be performed in Colorado.

IMPORTANT EMPLOYMENT NOTICES

At-Will Employment: Employment at Montrose Classical Academy is at-will. Either the employee or Montrose Classical Academy may end the employment relationship at any time, for any lawful reason, with or without cause or advance notice.

In-Person Position: This position requires full-time, in-person attendance at Montrose Classical Academy’s school facility in Montrose, Colorado. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for this role.

Work Schedule: This is a 180 calendar-day position. The work schedule follows the Montrose Classical Academy school calendar (approximately August–June). Employees are not paid during summer break or scheduled school breaks unless otherwise specified in a written agreement.

FLSA Status: This position is classified as Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Colorado COMPS Order #40. Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime pay.

Mandatory Reporting: All Montrose Classical Academy employees are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect under C.R.S. § 19-3-304. Failure to report is a criminal offense under Colorado law.

PERA Enrollment: As a Colorado public school employee, this position is subject to mandatory PERA enrollment and contribution requirements under C.R.S. § 24-51-401 et seq.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30,000.00 - $35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Question 1 – Supporting Student Learning

At MCA, paraprofessionals work alongside classroom teachers to support rigorous, joyful learning aligned with the Core Knowledge Sequence and Singapore Math. Describe your experience working with elementary-age students in an educational setting. How do you provide academic support to students who need extra help while following the teacher's instructional plan? Give a specific example of a time when you helped a student understand a challenging concept or complete a difficult task.

• Question 2 – Classroom Management & Positive Behavior Support

Paraprofessionals at MCA help maintain a joyful, achievement-oriented classroom culture by supporting positive behavior and helping students stay on task. Describe your approach to redirecting students who are off-task, helping resolve conflicts between students, or supporting students who are struggling to follow classroom expectations. What specific strategies have you used to encourage positive behavior while maintaining a respectful, supportive relationship with students?

• Question 3 – Collaboration & Taking Direction

Paraprofessionals at MCA work closely with classroom teachers, following their instructional plans and communicating important observations about student progress. Describe your experience working as part of a team in an educational or professional setting. How do you take direction from supervisors or teachers? Give an example of a time when you received feedback or guidance and how you applied it to improve your work with students.

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30,000 - $35,000