KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 255 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 3x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  The mission of KIPP Columbus is to create a system of schools where students develop the intellectual, academic, and social skills needed to understand and take action on issues they encounter in everyday life. 

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top five schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our second class of graduating high school seniors in the spring of 2021, 100% of students were accepted to college with over $20 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with more than 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy.  

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP Columbus plays a critical role in ensuring our students are on the path to get to and through college. Our educators are passionate advocates for our students and their families, working tirelessly to ensure that all have access to opportunity. To that end, our team is accepting applications for the Elementary Paraprofessional position.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support students with learning or emotional disabilities throughout the school day
• Assist teachers with building and maintaining effective instructional teams 
• Assist teachers with maintaining a learning-centered supportive environment 
• Support teachers with planning and organizing learning experiences
• Assist teachers with engaging students in learning and assisting in instruction 
• Assist teachers with assessing students’ needs, progress and achievement 
• Meet standards of professional and ethical conduct
• Provide one-on-one or small group behavioral and academic support to students with disabilities 
• Participate in regularly scheduled school meetings and sharing relevant information 
• Implement proactive behavior and learning strategies 
• Assist in accommodating and modifying learning strategies based on learning styles, ability levels, and other individual differences 
• Review and reinforce classroom learning 
• Carry out the instructional programs and lessons as developed by the teacher 
• Assist in engaging learners through an awareness of cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and language development. 
• Implement assistive technology and other accommodations as indicated by the IEP
• Observe, record and collect data as directed of students activity 
• Participate in continuing professional development 
• Participate in family meetings as required 
• Provide one-on-one tutoring to students
• Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional materials 

• High School Diploma (minimum)
• CPR and First Aid Certified 
• Experience working with students with disabilities (preferred)
• Experience working in low-income communities (preferred)
• Belief that outstanding school leaders, staff, and teachers can achieve excellent outcomes for all students
• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community
• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students
• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities
• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy)

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. 

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.