Job Description

About Northern Lights Academy Cooperative

Welcome to Northern Lights Academy! The Northern Lights Academy (NLA) mission is to support children and youth with significant emotional and behavioral needs, as well as those with low incidence disabilities. We provide academic, social and functional skill development, and mental health services to students from the member school districts of The Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative.

Our goal is to foster learning, promote independence, cultivate social and behavior skills, work in partnerships with families, and support students to become successful learners in their least restrictive environment, as well as active, productive members of our communities.

If you are passionate about education and community, we invite you to join our team!

Paraprofessional

Position Overview

The successful candidate will be an individual who firmly believes:

• All students can and will learn, and that their learning can be directly influenced by focusing on factors over which we have control;
• In the need to work interdependently with teachers, school, and district leaders throughout the system, aligning the work of adults around improving student learning by meeting the needs, interests, and aspirations of students;
• In the need to work in partnership with staff to continuously improve practices to enhance student and family engagement, creating the conditions for equity, excellence and student success; and
• In meeting students' academic, social, and emotional needs and aspirations so that each student feels valued and has a sense of belonging, leading to academic success

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development. This position is considered non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Primary Responsibilities

Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Assist and guide students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Work with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assist professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assist in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assist with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assist with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assist students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompany students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Construct, copy and distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Assist teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assist students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participate in IEP process and serve as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follow all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities and is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Preferences

We strongly prefer candidates who have exhibited excellence in collaboration with colleagues and an enthusiasm for working with students. Preferred candidates will have demonstrated the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of:
• Applicable federal and state laws pertaining to special education
• Ability to:
• Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers
• Carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students
• Understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g. Word, Excel)
• Work with a diverse group of individuals
• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others
• Establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and others contacted in the course of work
• Report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required
• Work outdoors during outdoor student activities
• Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, as required.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, with 60 earned college level semester credits or passing of an examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act. For applicants who do not meet the college or examination requirement, will consider applicants with the ability to pass the required examination within 30 days. Additional demonstrated qualifications include: commitment to the equitable education of all students, creative planning and organizational skills, and highly effective interpersonal skills. Previous experience working with special needs students preferred. Prefer candidate with experience working with diverse learners.

Licensing Requirements

No specific license is required for this position.

Salary and Benefits

The starting pay for this position is between $21.61 and is based on 2026-2028 AFSCME Paraprofessional Contract. Your initial placement is dependent on your qualifications (education and years of relevant experience).

We are proud to offer a wide array of benefits to our employees, including medical, dental, life, long-term disability, long-term care, an employee assistance program, and retirement contributions. You will also be eligible for paid sick, personal, and emergency time.

How to Apply

Application deadline is until filled. Position will remain open until filled.

Individuals who wish to be considered for this position must apply online at http://www.applitrack.com/isd94/onlineapp.

Only qualified and appropriately licensed individuals will be considered for an interview.

For any inquiries or questions regarding the position, please contact Barb Mackey, Assistant Special Education Director, at bmackey@nlacoop.org or 218-878-3064.

A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, educate, and support our students. Cloquet will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications outlined in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and know that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.