Instructional Assistant - Paraprofessional

About the Role

Under direct supervision, the incumbent provides assistance to teachers in a classroom environment by preparing materials, working with students individually or in groups on special projects or assignments, demonstrating skills and techniques, communicating with parents, and assisting with lesson plans and daily activities. Additionally, the incumbent monitors students on the playground and in the cafeteria.

Responsibilities

• Works with students individually or in groups on special projects or assignments including spelling, reading, mathematics, comprehension levels, and memorization of emergency information.
• Demonstrates skills and techniques to aid in student learning.
• Monitors student behavior and enforces school and classroom standards and policies.
• Ensures student safety on the playground and in the cafeteria before school, during breakfast and lunch, and during recess; reports unusual incidents or injuries to school administration.
• Accompanies students from classrooms to other areas (e.g., library, playground, cafeteria, buses) to ensure orderly behavior.
• Maintains discipline by monitoring student behavior and taking appropriate action, including issuing warnings or formal notices.
• Prepares incident documents, including disciplinary actions and unusual incident reports.
• Monitors student progress in reading and/or mathematics.
• Copies and prepares educational materials as needed.
• Prepares classrooms for activities, including setting up tables and chairs, distributing materials, and cleaning up afterward.
• Communicates with parents regarding student progress, concerns, and behavioral or academic issues; interprets communications between teachers and parents when necessary.
• Assists teachers in planning and coordinating lesson plans by providing feedback and sharing ideas.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) prior to being hired.
• One of the following:
  • Completion of 60 college credit hours,
  • Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university, or
  • Successful passage of an Arizona State-approved paraprofessional test (offered by WESD at no cost; must pass prior to being hired).
• Six months of experience working with children in a learning environment or related experience.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).
• For Title I Schools: Must receive CPR certification within thirty days of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in English and a target language.
• Valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate.

Skills

• Demonstrating child development theories.
• Knowledge of basic mathematical concepts.
• Experience with typical classroom activities.
• Ability to work effectively with children.
• Maintaining student discipline.
• Demonstrating appropriate techniques and procedures.
• Facilitating group activities in a learning environment.
• Reviewing completed work assignments.
• Preparing classrooms for various activities.
• Reading and following lesson plans.
• Applying school rules, policies, and procedures.
• Engaging and encouraging communication with supervisors, staff, students, and parents.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described are representative of those needed to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

The work environment is typically moderate in noise level. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay

$15.15 to $17.12 per hour.

Schedule

Full-time and part-time positions available.

Starting date: August 7, 2026.