Instructional Assistant - Focused on closing student achievement gaps

Job Summary

Aid a certificated teacher to support students in literacy, mathematics, closing student achievement gaps, and behavior.

Essential Functions, Duties And Responsibilities

• Work in stations as directed by teacher, assisting students in standards progress and monitoring, closing student achievement gaps within skills deficits, and behavior.
• Participate as a member of an instructional team including remediation teams.
• Prepare and organize lessons as directed by the teacher; administer and score a variety of tests according to established guidelines; assist in determining English proficiency of identified students.
• Assist in administering diagnostic and other tests; score and record test information.
• Monitor and report behavior of students according to approved procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior; check and assist students with lab work as necessary.
• Perform routine clerical duties such as preparation of instructional and classroom materials; operate copy machines; maintain classroom records; maintain attendance records.
• Provide support to the teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio-visual equipment, operating educational training equipment and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.
• Absorb students while in labs; provide for supplies inventory as necessary.
• Assist students by providing proper examples, emotional support, a friendly attitude and general guidance.
• Confer, as needed, with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.
• Contact parents of students who are absent; make home visits as necessary.
• 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, play periods and field trips.
• Participate in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge

• Basic subjects taught in the District schools, including math, grammar, spelling, language and reading.
• Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Basic record-keeping techniques.

Ability

• To learn child guidance principles and practices.
• To communicate and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff and the public including members of ethnic communities.
• To perform routine clerical duties in support of classroom activities.
• To print and write legibly.
• To add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.
• To understand and follow oral and written directions.
• To learn procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties.
• To communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• To learn to apply and explain policies and procedures related to school and program activities.
• To work cooperatively with others.
• To monitor, observe and report student's behavior according to approved policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

• The work requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
• The work at times requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching, with the ability to lift, carry, push or pull light weights.

Qualifications

• Passing score on the KY Para-educator Assessment or 48 college hours
• High school diploma or G.E.D., preferred
• Demonstrated competent language skills
• Successful experience working with children, individually or in groups, including ability to read and understand meanings of words and ideas associated with them and to use them effectively.
• Effective communication skills

Days Worked And Salary

• 186-day contract
• Classified salary schedule approved by the Newport Board of Education