Preschool Instructional Assistant

Instructional Assistant I (Special Education Classroom)

Job Class Code: 7320

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED certificate; and
• Successful completion of the para-educator exam; or
• 64 college credit hours.
• Experience in working with children in an organized setting.

Reports To: School Principal

Job Goal: Assist certified staff members in implementing services defined in Individual Education Programs; Assist certified staff members in providing instruction to individual or small groups; monitors and reports student progress.

Knowledge Of:

• Basic subjects taught in the District.
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Basic record-keeping techniques.

Ability To:

• Learn child guidance principles and practices.
• Communicate and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff and the public.
• Perform routine clerical duties in support of classroom activities.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Learn procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Learn to apply and explain policies and procedures related to school and program activities.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Monitor, observe and report students' behavior according to approved policies and procedures.
• Operate instructional and office equipment.
• Lift, position and move student(s) with mobility challenges.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of the certified teacher, prepare for classroom activities, delivery of specially designed instruction and assist in the implementation of adaptations/modifications to the general curriculum to meet the needs of individual students per the IEP.
• Perform clerical duties as assigned by the teacher.
• Perform health services and assist students with self-care under the direction of the supervising teacher including toileting, dressing, tube feeding, catheterization and bathing.
• Assist the teacher in gathering and recording student progress data.
• Assist the teacher in creating, selecting, adapting and evaluating materials appropriate for students with special needs.
• Assist students by providing proper examples, emotional support, a friendly attitude and general guidance.
• Assist students across settings including the resource room, regular classroom, the building and community.
• Assist students who have mobility challenges. This would include lifting, positioning and moving the child and the proper use of gross motor equipment such as standers and wheelchairs.
• Assist therapists (PT, OT, Speech, etc.) in following up with therapy as instructed in consultation with the therapist and under the direction of the supervising teacher per the IEP.
• Assist the teacher in providing consistency in services and instruction and in implementing the student's IEP goals, including behavior support and management plans.
• Assist in management of student behavior. This may include assisting students who are at risk of harming themselves or others through the implementation of prevention, de-escalation and safe physical intervention strategies.
• Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and regulations.
• Direct group activities of students as assigned; assist in monitoring lunchroom and playground activities as assigned; assist in emergency drills, assemblies and field trips.
• Participate in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.
• Assist when necessary in the loading and unloading of buses.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding employees, individual students and their families.
• Maintain acceptable personal attendance without repeated unexcused absences, tardiness, absences without notification or abuse of sick leave.

Terms Of Employment: Hourly rate and number of hours and days per year set annually by the Board of Education

Evaluation: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board's Policy on Evaluation of Personnel.