Instructional Assistant - Special Needs Preschool

About the Role

Under direct supervision, the incumbent provides assistance to teachers in a diverse classroom environment by supporting special education students with materials, handouts, and individual or group projects. The role involves demonstrating skills and techniques, communicating with parents, contributing to lesson plans, and preparing classrooms for activities. Additionally, the incumbent monitors students on the playground and in the cafeteria to ensure safety and enforce school policies.

Responsibilities

• Works with special education students individually or in groups on projects or assignments focused on academic, social, emotional, functional, language, and behavior skills, as well as activities of daily living.
• Demonstrates skills and techniques to aid student learning.
• Monitors and enforces school and classroom behavior standards, including documenting disciplinary actions and unusual incidents.
• Assists special needs students with feeding, toileting/diapering, physical activities, instructions, and behavior management to create a positive learning environment.
• Supports the use of adaptive equipment.
• Ensures student safety on the playground and in the cafeteria before school, during breakfast and lunch, and during recess; reports incidents or injuries to administration.
• Accompanies students to various areas (e.g., library, playground, cafeteria, buses) to maintain orderly behavior.
• Prepares classrooms for activities, including setting up materials, cleaning up after activities, and rearranging furniture.
• Communicates with parents regarding student progress, concerns, and behavioral or academic improvements; interprets communications between teachers and parents as needed.
• Copies and prepares educational materials, and assists teachers in planning and coordinating lesson plans by providing student feedback.
• 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.
• Knowledge of basic mathematical concepts.
• Familiarity with typical classroom activities.
• Experience working with children, including those with special needs.
• Knowledge of appropriate techniques and procedures for supporting students with diverse needs.
• Facilitating group activities in a learning environment.
• Reviewing completed work assignments for accuracy.
• Preparing classrooms for various activities.
• Reading and following lesson plans.
• Applying school rules, policies, and procedures.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with supervisors, staff, students, and parents.

Physical Requirements

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

Working Conditions

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