Instructional Assistant - Special Needs Preschool

About the Role

Under direct supervision, this position provides assistance to teachers in a diverse classroom environment by supporting special education students with materials, individual or group projects, and daily activities. The role also includes monitoring students on the playground and in the cafeteria, ensuring safety, and communicating with parents regarding student progress and concerns.

Responsibilities

• Works with special education students individually or in groups on academic, social, emotional, functional, language, and behavior skills, as well as activities of daily living.
• Demonstrates skills and techniques to aid in student learning and behavior management.
• Assists special needs students with feeding, toileting/diapering, physical activities, and adaptive equipment.
• Monitors student behavior, enforces school and classroom policies, and prepares incident documentation for disciplinary actions or unusual incidents.
• Ensures student safety on the playground and in the cafeteria before school, during breakfast/lunch, and recess; reports incidents or injuries to administration.
• Accompanies students to various areas (library, playground, cafeteria, buses) to maintain orderly behavior.
• Prepares classrooms for activities (setting up tables/chairs, distributing materials) and performs cleanup afterward.
• Communicates with parents regarding student progress, concerns, and behavioral issues; interprets communications between teachers and parents when necessary.
• Copies and prepares educational materials and assists teachers in planning and coordinating lesson plans.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) prior to hire.
• Must receive CPR certification within thirty days of hire date.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).

Preferred Qualifications

• Six months of experience working with children in a learning environment.

Skills

• Demonstrating child development theories and special needs of students.
• Knowledge of basic mathematical concepts and classroom activities.
• Ability to use appropriate techniques and procedures for student support.
• Facilitating group activities and reviewing completed work assignments.
• Preparing classrooms, reading and following lesson plans, and applying school rules/policies.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with supervisors, staff, students, and parents.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to use hands, reach with hands/arms, talk, and hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance and lift/move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

• Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.

Pay

$16.50 to $19.50 per hour.

Schedule

Part-Time, 195-day calendar.