Instructional Assistant, Middle School

Job Description

Job Description

Role and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Classroom Teacher/Principal, the PSOE Instructional Assistant is responsible for classroom assistance through curriculum implementation, lesson planning, student assessment, data disaggregation, and behavioral management. Additional responsibilities include maintaining compliance with individual student Education Plans, Section 504 Plans, etc, and participation in the school duty schedule requirements. They will strive for proficiency in operational and functional knowledge of best practices in education, state and federal education law, FERPA and FAPE law, parent relations, behavioral management, documenting and reporting, and process-driven accountability.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct instruction and assessment in small group, and individual settings. 
• Provide substitute support as needed.
• Utilizes data-driven instruction and PSOE educational frameworks to ensure delivery of standard’s driven instruction to all students.
• Completes assessments, grading, planning, and conferences within appropriate timelines.
• Utilizes oversight by the Curriculum Director, Special Education Director, school counselor, and other subcontracted professional staff/outside agencies as needed to identify and understand strategies for support and instruction of students with exceptional needs.
• Ensures appropriate classroom implementation of BIP’s, FBA’s, IEP’s and 504 programs. 
• Completes any additional reporting as requested by Special Education Director or counselor.
• Completes reports and follow-up documentation as required by administration.
• Contributes to a strong school education team: serves on school and/or community committees; seeks participation and involvement with direction for ongoing local operations.
• Abides by all PSOE frameworks as approved by the executive director and as noted in the staff handbook.
• Maintains ongoing, consistent, professional, and supportive communication for the classroom and school as noted in the school’s frameworks.
• Assumes acceptance and flexibility for all roles as delegated for a variety of school functions for the purpose of managing the team workload more efficiently. 
• Utilizes effective systems as delegated to troubleshoot problems, track progress, and regularly evaluate workflow components, so as to measure progress in a way that can be effectively communicated to the classroom teacher and curriculum director.

Program planning and management

• Contributes to the organization's mission and reflects the priorities of the school.
• Is prepared to assist in the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects.

Human resources planning and management

• Establishes a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations including FERPA, FAPE, Section 504, and Special Education.

Qualifications and Education Requirements
The Instructional Assistant will be thoroughly committed to the PSOE mission. Prior successful experience in a similar setting is preferred. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and production.
• Excellence in organizational management, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, and set and achieve strategic objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to planning.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
• Passion, idealism, integrity, grit, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.
• Annual training and/or professional development is required for all PSOE employees. Job-specific training is identified and scheduled by the School Principal or direct supervisor in partnership with Paramount C-suite.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in technology.
• Prior experience in charter schools.
• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization.

Additional Notes
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds to shoulder height and 50 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead. 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The Instructional Assistant usually works in standard classrooms, but will frequently be required to complete tasks in a wide variety of locations within the school campus. The Instructional Assistant works a standard workweek, but additionally may work evenings, weekends, and any additional hours necessary to accommodate activities such as committees, fundraisers, public meetings, and representing the organization at public events.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The Instructional Assistant will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. Paramount Schools of Excellence reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.