Classroom Assistant, Kindergarten

About the role

The Classroom Assistant reports to the Building Principal and takes direction from classroom teachers. This position works 5.75 hours per day, 28.75 hours per week, for 180 days per year. The Classroom Assistant provides academic and social-emotional assistance to assigned students under the direct supervision of a teacher and supports the management of classroom activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the supervision of learning activities, circulating within the classroom and providing learning support to students.
• Support instruction as prescribed by the supervising teacher and reinforce skills introduced by the teacher, including:
  • Social-emotional regulation and communication skills
  • Academics—reading, writing, math concepts, etc.
• Assist teachers in checking and objectively evaluating students' work.
• Work with students individually and in small groups to reinforce skills based on instructional guidelines; may utilize games, stories, or manipulatives to enhance learning.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining standards of student behavior in accordance with school and/or district initiatives (e.g., PBIS, Morning Meetings).
• Assist in managing student behavior and maintaining classroom order; reinforce rules of the school and classroom.
• Monitor students' progressive learning skills and communicate progress to the teacher; document records of learning activities and progress.
• Escort students to designated activity areas (e.g., music room, computer room, art classes, assemblies).
• Provide assistance to students identified as having social-emotional and/or behavioral issues.
• Assist with implementation of classroom behavior strategies and interventions and/or individual student accommodations, modifications, behavior intervention plans, classroom plans, and other guidelines.
• Participate in job-related meetings as requested; maintain confidentiality of individual students and families.
• Contribute relevant feedback and information on student progress through observation, interaction, and maintaining accurate records.
• Maintain cooperative relationships with all parents/care providers, staff, and students.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or two years of study at an institution of higher learning preferred; High School Diploma/GED with willingness to earn highly qualified status required.
• Experience related to education and training activities in an organized learning environment; experience with K–12 students preferred; for Kindergarten classroom assignment, experience with pre-K or primary grade (Gr. K–2) children preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Trauma-informed practices and positive behavior management strategies preferred.
• Basic email skills, including the ability to send and open file attachments; Google Suite (e.g., Gmail, Google Docs) preferred.
• Ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics.
• Ability to teach and work well with children.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently with general guidance; develop rapport with all students, being fair, consistent, and respectful; provide an inclusive and equitable environment sensitive to diverse individuals and situations.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize own work to meet deadlines and accomplish assigned tasks within established deadlines.
• Ability to learn positive behavior and crisis management techniques and take appropriate action in emergency situations.
• Ability to support a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Physical Requirements

Light work: Incumbent should be able to exert up to 20 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.