Instructional Aide - Preschool (2025-26)

Columbia Public Schools; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Public Schools is seeking a full-time Instructional Aide for Preschool to assist teachers in reinforcing concepts and monitoring student progress. The role involves supervising students during classroom activities and non-classroom settings, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ideal candidates will have a substitute teaching certificate and a passion for working with young children.

Benefits

Eligible for benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a Missouri substitute teaching certificate and 36+ college credit hours.
• Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree and previous teaching experience.
• Ideal candidates should have a friendly demeanor and the ability to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist staff in implementing lesson plans and supervising students.
• Support teachers in non-classroom settings like lunchroom and playground.
• Perform other duties to support the mission of the school district.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Missouri substitute teaching certificate

36+ college credit hours or Associates degree

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

(Using a computer is suggested to complete application. Phones are not always compatible.)

POSITION PROPERTIES

Position Title

Instructional Aide – Preschool

Schedule / Grade

Full-time / IA

Job Code

INSUP231

FLSA / FTE

Non-exempt /1.0 FTE

Calendar

INS AIDE

Benefits

Eligible

Contract Type

Notification

Bargaining Unit

None

Revised Date

11/19/2014

PURPOSE

This position is to assist the teacher with her/his reinforcing concepts/skills, monitoring student progress, assisting with discipline and assisting with the planning process for instructional goals or implementation of the intervention program.This is a full time position.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Assist the staff in implementing lesson plans or programs to meet the learning needs of a particular group of children.
• Work with staff to carry out daily classroom activities or program needs, supervising students, providing instructional support and caregiving services under supervision of staff.
• Assist the teachers in supervising students in non-classroom settings such as lunchroom/playground supervision and bus arrival/dismissal.

Perform other duties as necessary to support the mission and vision of Columbia Public School District.

DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS

All employees of the District are expectedto adhere to the policies and regulations of the Board of Education, maintain appropriatecertification and competencies necessary for the position, and demonstratethe values of the district at all times. For information on polices, regulations and values, visithttp://www.cpsk12.org.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To: Building Principal and Assistant Principal

Supervises: None

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum: Missouri substitute teaching certificate; 36+ college credit hours, or Associates degree, or 20-hour DESE sub course, or ParaPro assessment. Prior experience in a school setting and/or working with young people.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree, Missouri teaching certificate, previous teaching experience, ability to work in a team teaching setting; A strong desire to teach and be responsible for instructing children as assigned.

Ideal candidate will have a professional and friendly demeanor with a demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals in a fast-paced environment.

To performthis job successfully, an individual must beable to performeach essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Reasonable accommodationsmay bemade to enable individualswith disabilities to perform essential functions.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

Language: Read, comprehend, and produce written and oral instructions, correspondence, and memos; Communicate one-on-one and in small groups.These are essential functions of the job.

Computation: Add, subtract multiply and divide using units of American money, weight, volume and distance.These are essential functions of the job.

Reasoning: Understand and follow verbal and written instructions, Solve problems involving concrete variables within standardized situations.These are essential functions of the job.

Other Skills:Establish and maintain positive relationships with others while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries; Demonstrate excellent oral, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; Demonstrate excellent listening skills.These are essential functions of the job.

Physical Demands:Speak and hear in an environment where numerousconversations and activities may be taking place simultaneously; Move around a classroom to interact with and manage students/groups of students; Read handwritten or printed material.These are essential functions of the job.

Attendance:Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

Conditions and Environment: The individualwho holds this position will regularly work in a school environment that is noisy and active.These are essential functions of the job.

Prospective and current employees with disabilities are encouragedto contact human resources to discuss reasonable accommodationsto perform the essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer