Assistant Preschool Teacher 2026-27 Lake Hills Elementary

About the role

This position is responsible for assisting and supporting all students of all abilities by providing instructional support, implementing planned activities, ensuring safety, and assisting with the implementation of components of Individual Education Programs (IEP's).

Responsibilities

• Ensures the physical, health, and safety needs of students from arrival to departure.
• Supports and interacts with children during age-appropriate and developmentally suitable activities.
• Provides social-emotional, behavioral, and educational support for students of all abilities.
• Delivers specially designed instruction (SDI) provided by a Special Education Teacher.
• Supports students of all abilities in their least restrictive environment.
• Maintains auditory and visual supervision of children at all times.
• Helps maintain a clean, organized, and safe environment.
• Establishes an appropriate rapport with families.
• Assists students with emotional regulation challenges and fosters independence in all settings.
• Supports students with daily living skills, including toileting, changing, tube feeding, and medical assistance, as needed.
• Monitors children's educational, recreational, and rest activities, ensuring proper hygiene and diapering when necessary.
• Communicates effectively with staff and collaborates on planning and implementing activities.
• Works with diverse student populations, including those with special needs.
• Provides comfort and nurturing to children.
• Stays current on emergency procedures and child safety drills.
• Attends staff meetings and professional development training.
• Assists in maintaining records of children’s daily activities, including incident reports, medication logs, and attendance sheets.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate (12 credits) or DCFY equivalent.
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
• Registration in state electronic workforce registry (Merit).
• Completion of Merit Portable background check.
• TB skin test.
• Food Handler Permit.
• Proof of MMR or immunity to measles.
• Completion of applicable training requirements, including Child Care Basics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working individually with students with diverse aptitudes and levels of achievement and with behaviorally disabled students.
• Right Response Training.

Skills & Knowledge

• Reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Child development, behavior management, and behavior modification programs, including restraint techniques.
• Health, safety, injury prevention, and sanitary practices.
• Safety procedures for students and staff, including proper lifting techniques.
• Use of adaptive technological equipment.
• Non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.
• Computer proficiency and familiarity with various software programs.
• Physical therapy techniques and procedures.
• Functional life skills instruction.

Physical Requirements

• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• May be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

Pay

AISP pay range D starting at $31.44 to $32.09 per hour.

Schedule

31.25 hours per week (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 7:45am to 2:45pm and Weds 7:45am to 1:30pm) for a 192-day annual assignment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision eligibility based upon 630 hours worked within a school year.
• Long-term disability and life-insurance eligibility based upon 630 hours worked within a school year.
• Retirement provided through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.