Support Staff Member (Grand Junction, Colorado)

Do you want to grow your career in an American Classical Education, helping educate students to live responsible, courageous, and virtuous lives? Join us as we launch Ascent Classical Academy of Grand Junction to open This August 2023! This scenic town on the beautiful western slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains boasts a rich history along with abundant outdoor recreation, a bustling downtown, diverse dining experiences, and so much more. Visitors far and wide travel to Grand Junction for annual festivals and day trips to local sights including Moab, Utah.

Support staff perform important administrative or substitute functions so that teachers may focus on mastering the key elements of their instruction. Support staff have the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants, substitute teachers, student services paraprofessionals and/or lunch and recess aides.

Academic support staff, particularly Substitute Teachers, and Paras, work closely with each teacher in his/her assigned grade level(s). These positions require a highly organized, disciplined, and motivated individual to help support teachers in routine administrative duties, so teachers are able to focus on instruction. This position is responsible for a variety of duties throughout the day and week, including reinforcing instruction, preparing materials and equipment for classroom teachers, supporting the administrative and clerical needs of teachers, supervising students (including at recess and lunch as needed), substitute teaching, assisting with before- and after-school supervision and carline, and other duties as assigned.

Academic support staff are responsible for modeling, implementing, and continuously improving in the following areas, which may be modified at any time in the discretion of the school:

• Support and supplement the educational program in the classroom, under a teacher’s direction
• Research and gather resources and materials need for lessons
• Contribute to the moral and intellectual environment of the school
• Work effectively with faculty and other staff as a team to improve the teacher’s instruction
• Understand and adhere to the principles of classical education
• Develop the intellect and personal character of each student to the utmost of his or her ability
• Communicate verbally and in writing clearly, precisely and grammatically
• Speak of and model character in terms of the School’s core virtues
• Require students to speak in turn
• Prevent any student from disrupting the class by using the established disciplinary procedures
• Assist the teacher in requiring students to be respectful, attentive and participatory
• Tolerate no cruelty amongst or between students
• Enforce the dress code
• Be sensitive to problems as they are developing and intervene immediately

Those serving as Interventionists or Student Services Paraprofessionals will:

• Work with individual or small groups of students who are at-risk to provide educational interventions and progress monitoring.
• Implement small group/individual intervention instruction, progress monitoring, and other activities related to reading support.
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information.
• Attend team/parent meetings as required; provide input to teams regarding student academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Maintain data-based documentation of continuous monitoring of student performance and progress during interventions.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as requested by the Headmaster or Student Services Coordinator.

Desired Start Date: August 1, 2023

Location: ACA Grand Junction is in the process of purchasing and renovating the Rocky Mountain Gun Club building at 545 31 Road, Grand Junction.

Compensation Range and Particulars: Aides $15.00-$17.50; Substitutes $17.00-$19.50; Student Services paraprofessionals $20.00-$25.00 per hour.

Support staff work approximately 190 days per year, with significant time off in the summer.

Schedule and Classification: Full-Time or Part-Time positions are available. Non-Exempt under the FLSA.

Full-time is considered 30 hours or more per week. For part-time, we request a minimum of 20 hours per week. Staff are paid on an hourly basis.

Benefits Available (for Full-Time):

• Employee-only coverage for group medical, dental, and vision plan; dependent coverage available.
• Health savings account with employer contributions
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance plans
• Retirement investment account*
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Free employee benefit and healthcare guidance through HealthJoy
• Paid leave for qualifying events under the Family Medical Leave Act and the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act*

• These benefits are available for part-time staff.

About Ascent Classical Academies

Ascent Classical Academies partners with a network of classical charter schools based in Colorado delivering a content-rich curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences, with underlying principles in the Western tradition of the study of history, literature, philosophy, and fine arts. Our American Classical Education includes, among other things, the study of Latin; a rich examination of American literary, moral, philosophical, political, and historical tradition; and a school culture centered upon moral virtue, respect, discipline, and studiousness among students and faculty alike. Ascent Classical Academy charter schools currently serve approximately 1,700 students in K-12 campuses located in the Denver and Fort Collins areas of Colorado, with significant expansion planned throughout Colorado, the Carolinas, and beyond.

See Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado and Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County to learn more about our existing schools.

Qualified candidates will demonstrate high moral character and embrace the virtues of a democratic society. They will also foster professional friendships with faculty and staff, seek collaborative relationships with parents, and mentor students in the pursuit of their own flourishing. These positions also require:

• High school diploma (some college preferred)
• Eligibility to work in the United States
• After offer is accepted, satisfactory background check as required by state law and Colorado Department of Education
• Conviction in the values of a rigorous liberal arts education
• Loyalty to the school and ACA’s mission and vision
• Commitment to model moral character in line with the school’s core virtues and the pursuit of the Good, True, and Beautiful
• Dedication to enhance the school’s culture of excellence and seek the good of the entire team
• Desire to deliver prompt, courteous, and superior customer service of the school’s faculty, staff, administration, students and families
• Adherence to all ACA policies, including but not limited to the Employee Handbook, Family Handbook, and all applicable school policies
• Punctuality and attendance
• Initiative and effort
• Professionalism in appearance and speech
• Cheerful attendance to other duties as assigned by the teacher or administration

Student Services paraprofessionals are preferred who have passed a formal assessment measuring the knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing and mathematics, or be willing to pass such an assessment within 3 months of employment. See CDE Guidance for Paraprofessionals .

In addition, any paraprofessional or teaching assistant/substitute who teaches reading to students in K-3 is required to comply with the Colorado READ Act. Free training from the Colorado Department of Education is available. See CDE Guidance for READ Act compliance.