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 regarding specific concerns, 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 safety on the playground and in the cafeteria before school, during breakfast and lunch, and during recess; reports any 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 writing 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, academic improvements, truancy, and behavioral problems; interprets communications between teachers and parents when necessary.
• Assists teachers in planning and coordinating lesson plans by sharing ideas and providing student feedback.
• 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
  • Successfully passed an Arizona State-approved paraprofessional test (offered by WESD at no cost; must pass prior to being hired).
• Six months of working with children in a learning environment or related experience.
• For Title I Schools: Compliance with the above requirements is mandatory.
• 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.
• Knowing basic mathematical concepts.
• Using typical activities within a classroom environment.
• Working with children and 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 skills while interacting with supervisors, staff, students, etc.

Physical Requirements

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

• 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 ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

The work environment is usually moderate in noise level.

Pay

$15.15 to $17.12 per hour.

Schedule

Full-time.