2025-2026 Preschool Assistant

Esd113; Greenbrier (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dedicated Voluntary PreK Instructional Assistant. This role is essential for supporting teachers and enhancing the learning experience for young children. Responsibilities include assisting in classroom activities, providing tutoring, and ensuring a safe and engaging environment for students. Ideal candidates will possess empathy, creativity, and a genuine love for children. Join a collaborative team committed to fostering educational success and personal growth in a nurturing atmosphere. If you have a passion for early childhood education, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Must be CPR and First Aid certified.
• Complete 30 hours of professional development training annually.
• Assist teachers in maintaining a conducive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in classroom activities and projects.
• Provide one-on-one tutoring to students.
• Monitor student behavior in various school settings.

Skills

Empathy

Emotional stability

Communication skills

Creativity

Patience

Ability to follow directions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Computer

Audio/visual equipment

Copy machine

Job description

Voluntary PreK(VPK) Instructional Assistant

Job Description

Robertson County Schools 3/1/2016

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to provide teaching assistance in Voluntary PreK (VPK) classrooms or as otherwise needed, which may include assisting teachers with classroom projects/activities, providing classroom coverage for teachers, providing tutoring to students, monitoring student activities in cafeteria and common areas, performing clerical work, or providing other assistance. Individuals in this class may be assigned to work in a general classroom setting and/or with smaller, more narrowly defined programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Assists teachers in classroom or other educational setting; oversees, monitors, or conducts classes during the temporary absence of teachers; assists teachers in setting up and conducting various class activities and projects; works with and assists students during class activities and projects; prepares instructional materials for classroom use; copies materials for use by teachers; sets up audio/visual equipment for viewing of films/videos; assists in administering and grading tests; assists in evaluating student performance and skill levels; creates bulletin boards, displays, or wall decorations; and assists with cleanup activities.
• Provides tutoring or one-on-one assistance to students in basic educational skills; assists students with skill development based on the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS); and assists with facilitation of lesson plans.
• Monitors students in cafeteria, auditorium, halls, bus zones, or other common areas; organizes groups of students upon arrival/departure; seats students in appropriate areas; assists in cleaning tables or spills; chaperones students during field trips.
• Monitors behavior/activities of students; mediates disputes between students; handles situations involving excessive noise, disruptive behavior, or other problems; initiates disciplinary action per prescribed policies; monitors students.
• Performs clerical tasks in support of teaching activities, office operations, or other school functions; answers telephone calls, provides information, or records messages; copies, laminates and/or assembles various documentation; communicates with parents through various media including in-person and via Classroom Dojo of meetings; organizes/distributes school materials; sends/receives faxes; sorts/distributes mail; assists with routine tasks in the school.
• Performs miscellaneous tasks as needed; checks students for possible illness; administers basic first aid to sick/injured students; contacts parents regarding sick children, needed supplies, or other issues; makes announcements over public announcement system; assists with dismissal of children from school.
• Prepares and receives various documents pertaining to student instruction and school operations.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; complete online trainings as needed.
• Operates various equipment and tools associated with projects and work activities, which may include a printer, fax machine, copy machine, laminator, paper cutter, die cut machine, television, walkie talkie, public announcement system, intercom, telephone, calculator, fans, heaters, sports paraphernalia, or art supplies.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, school officials, teachers, students, parents, vendors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Attends home visits, staff meetings, PTA meetings, parent meetings, M-Team meetings, behavior meetings, or other meetings as needed.
• Instructional assistants shall assist classroom teachers in keeping records as required by legislation, the State Board of Education, or the Department of Education; and those records deemed necessary at the local level.
• Building principal shall have the responsibility of assigning general fund or grant funded instructional assistants to non-instructional supervision of students which may include, but is not limited to: (TCA 49-2-303(b)(6): Lunchroom duty, bus duty, recess or playground duty, before or after school duty, or other related activities.
• Instructional assistants may work with students in instructional activities; however, assistants must at all times be under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher. (TCA 49-2-203(a)(1) Assistants may not be used in lieu of the teacher to provide daily instruction, but may be used in the implementation of the lesson plan as the teacher deems appropriate.
• Instructional assistants may administer and score tests including, but not limited to, screening instruments, placement tests, mastery learning tests which do not require professional training and expertise. Assistants should be trained in proper testing procedure and should at all times be under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher or other trained professional.
• Instructional assistants may assist teachers in establishing and maintaining a learning environment that is conducive to academic progress. Assistants should be knowledgeable of classroom rules and procedures and should be trained in the utilization of techniques which promote time on task and appropriate classroom behavior. Assistants shall follow the same discipline plan of the school and shall administer consequences (both positive and negative) only as directed by the classroom teacher and building principal.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts various errands as needed.
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Must be willing to become CPR and First Aid Certified. Certifications must remain current.
• Complete 30 hours of professional development training annually and maintain compliance with all state regulations for Voluntary PreK.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Utilization of instructional assistants should enable teachers to devote a greater percentage of the school day to the direct instruction of students. To realize the maximum benefit from these assistants, the following qualifications are recommended for those employed to fill the positions:

• Emotional stability
• Empathy, warmth, and compassion for others
• Sense of humor
• Love of children
• Respect for individuality
• Enthusiasm for work with young children
• Energetic and creative
• Honest, fair, and patient with students, parents, and other staff
• Education and Experience
• Education equivalent to graduation from a state approved high school is the minimum requirement.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Good knowledge of standard English, including the ability to speak and write clearly
• Skilled in completing various forms neatly and accurately
• Ability to understand and follow directions

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Robertson County Board of Education, Tennessee, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Board of Education will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Reports To Principal

Start Date 8/4/25

Robertson County Schools does not discriminate because of gender, color, race, age, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, handicap, religion, creed, or citizenship. Robertson County Schools is a Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace.