Magnolia Elementary - Preschool Instructional Assistant - 1.0 FTE

About the role

The job of Instructional Assistant is done for the purpose of working with individual and/or small groups of students under the supervision of a certificated teacher in the supervision and instruction of students, and providing clerical support to teachers and staff. Instructional Assistants assigned to an Early Learning classroom support the developmentally appropriate classroom environment with instructional strategies that are unique to young children.

Responsibilities

• Assist assigned teacher with both long and short range planning and implementation of activities in accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice, and program philosophy.
• Provide input for assessment tool of children's development by providing anecdotal records.
• Arrange a classroom environment in accordance to program goals and philosophy and help to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Meet all applicable state licensing or classroom certification regulations.
• Attend functions as assigned (e.g., meetings, in-service presentations, trainings) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Confer with teachers and/or parents as may be required for the purpose of providing input into the evaluation of students' progress and/or implementing/modifying students' objectives.
• Implement, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving students' academic success through a defined course of study.
• Maintain classroom resources, work area, student files/records (e.g., adapting instructional materials, audio visual equipment, bulletin boards) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
• Monitor individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g., classroom, playground, field trips, library, lunchroom, bus loading/unloading) for the purpose of identifying required assistance and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.
• Perform record keeping and clerical functions (e.g., copying, correcting papers, completing attendance verifications, taking and recording phone calls) for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or providing necessary records/materials.
• Report observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g., accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.
• Respond to emergency situations (e.g., injured student, fights) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Support classroom teacher for the purpose of assisting them in the implementation of curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Perform related duties consistent with the scope of the position.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; reading a variety of manuals, writing documents following prescribed formats, and presenting information to others; understanding complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.
• Concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles; age-appropriate activities.
• Scheduling activities and/or meetings; gathering and/or collating data; using basic, job-related equipment.
• Flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; operate equipment using standardized methods.
• Working with a wide diversity of individuals; working with a variety of data; utilizing job-related equipment.
• Problem solving to identify issues and select action plans when working with others; independent interpretation of data; moderate problem solving with equipment.
• Communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with constant interruptions.
• Ability to keyboard and use computers.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent and one of the following:
  • Completion of an associate degree, or
  • Completion of two years of college (not a degree) — seventy-two (72) quarter hours or forty-eight (48) semester hours of college credit, or
  • A passing score on the Praxis Parapro Assessment Test.

Experience

• One year of related paid work experience.

Certification & Licenses

• Valid State of Washington Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Clearances

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint & background check.

Benefits

Seattle Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours employees are anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Any employee who is scheduled to work 630 hours or more in a year is eligible for benefits.