Instructional Assistant - Yough Glades Elementary School - GCPS

Location: Yough Glades Elementary – Kindergarten
Terms: Full-time, 10-month position (187-day work year, 7.6 hours per day; may vary based on system needs)
Status: Non-Exempt (Support Personnel Bargaining Unit)
Salary: $31,673–$35,886 (commensurate with education and experience)
Supervisor: Principal, Assistant Principal, and/or Director of Elementary Schools

About the Role

The Instructional Assistant provides support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for the supervision and instruction of students, observation and documentation of student progress, modeling of appropriate behaviors and interactions, and clerical support to teachers.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree, 48 hours of college credit, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to perform basic math
• Ability to present information to others
• Ability to understand, explain, and use data
• Ability to understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions
• Ability to organize, supervise, and work with individuals or groups of students, teachers, and other stakeholders
• Ability to problem-solve, work independently and as part of a team, and function without distractions
• Strong stakeholder service skills (students, staff, administration, parents, general public, community agencies, etc.)
• History of professionalism and strong work ethic
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, feel, climb, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, push, pull, and carry
• Good hearing, vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision
• Ability to lift and transport objects averaging 50–75 lbs.
• Ability to lift and assist students with special healthcare needs, including toileting
• Significant dexterity of hands and fingers
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for students, staff, and other stakeholders
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job either with or without reasonable accommodations

Preferred Qualifications

• CPR and First Aid certification
• General understanding of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics
• Knowledge of instructional and behavioral strategies

Responsibilities

• Assist students, individually and/or in small groups, with classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of a certified classroom teacher
• Supervise students (e.g., classroom, hallway, restroom, cafeteria, field trips, etc.)
• Report and record observations and incidents
• Communicate with teachers and/or parents, as necessary
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Perform related clerical duties and responsibilities
• Respond immediately and appropriately to emergency situations (e.g., injuries, fights, runaways, etc.)
• Take all appropriate safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Attend and actively participate in appropriate job-related professional development
• Contribute to the short-term and long-term successes of students, staff, school, and the system in general
• Engage in life-long learning of professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops, reviewing professional publications and websites, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional organizations
• Present courteous and professional demeanor at all times
• Demonstrate proficiency, flexibility, self-motivation, accountability and ownership, and positive demeanor
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
• Life insurance
• Maryland Retirement and Pension Plan with optional 403(b) contributions
• Paid sick leave, personal days, and vacation
• Access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources