Instructional Assistant I - Head Start

Paducah Head Start Preschool; Paducah (KY); On-site; USD 19,920 - 21,559; Full time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education in Paducah, Kentucky, seeks an Instructional Assistant I for Head Start. This full-time role involves supporting a certificated teacher, providing instruction tailored to children's needs, and fostering a nurturing, safe environment for development.

Ideal candidates possess an AA degree in Early Childhood Education or a CDA with relevant experience. The salary ranges from $14.46 to $15.65 per hour, reflecting the significance of early childhood experiences. Join us in making a difference!

Qualifications

• Assist in providing instruction to children.
• Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.
• Conduct daily health checks and hygiene tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction to small and large groups of children.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress.
• Monitor student behavior and report issues.

Skills

Communication skills

Child guidance principles

Teamwork

Education

AA degree in Early Childhood Education

CDA (Child Development Associate)

Tools

Microsoft software

Audio-visual equipment

Job description

Instructional Assistant I - Head Start

Paducah Paducah Head Start Preschool – Paducah, Kentucky Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Paducah Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5799327

Application Deadline: Jul 03, 2026 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)

Posted: Jun 24, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

BASIC FUNCTION: Assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to individuals or small groups, monitoring and reporting student progress.

Assist with daily classroom operations, including instructional experiences for all assigned children to enhance their development in the social, emotional, physical, creative and cognitive processes.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Instructional Assistant I incumbents assist a certificated teacher by performing a variety of support functions in a regular classroom setting. Instructional Assistant II incumbents work within a complex program typically requiring additional skills and characterized by increased independence of action.

Representative Duties

• Provide instruction to small groups, large groups, and/or individuals to all children (DLL, special needs) through activities and conversation that promotes higher‑order thinking and cognition appropriate to development levels and learning styles of children.
• Write anecdotal notes that follow best‑practice guidelines and procedural requirements.
• Work as a member of a team with other staff, volunteers, administrators, therapists, and substitutes.
• Assist with ongoing assessment through data collection and recording.
• Administer classroom discipline/non‑violence program using behavioral‑management techniques and strategies consistent with Second Steps, 1, 2, 3 Magic, DECA or as instructed.
• Implement behavioral plans and IEPs following approved guidelines.
• Maintain the education central file (setup, organization) and timely placement of documents and artifacts.
• Organize and maintain Home/Book reading program for children/families.
• Maintain appropriate voice tones in dealing with children.
• Provide a supportive environment in which children can begin to learn and practice appropriate and acceptable behaviors as individuals and as group members.
• Provide a supportive and nurturing, respectful and safe environment through the use of gestures, verbal and non‑verbal interactions with children.
• Help children to understand, acquire, and use means of communicating thoughts and feelings.
• Communicate effectively with children through active questioning, active feedback, and language‑stimulation techniques, both verbal and non‑verbal.
• Assist with providing various opportunities to appreciate children, families, and their culture.
• Discuss issues that affect the program with appropriate staff (teacher) and follow up on resolutions as needed.
• Participate in home visits and/or parent‑teacher conferences through appropriate engagement with children and families, and by having necessary documentation and materials ready as directed by the teacher.
• Assist with promoting good health by thoroughly continuing daily health checks, hand washing, and tooth brushing.
• Provide constant supervision of all children (special needs, DLL) during all activities—indoors and outdoors.
• Perform daily cleaning routine of classroom and playground.
• Perform playground checks as scheduled.
• Assist with organizing the classroom and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment.
• Assist with organizing classroom space into functional areas recognizable by children.
• Assist with a developmentally appropriate, print‑rich environment in which children learn about books, literature, and writing (labeling items, writing materials).
• Assist with a variety of equipment, activities, and opportunities to promote the physical development of children.
• Encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem‑solving skills appropriate to development levels and learning styles.
• Stimulate children to play with sound, rhythm, language, materials, space, and ideas in individual ways, and to express their creative abilities.
• Supervise the playground through supportive play and materials.
• Manage technology through use of email, Microsoft software, SmartBoards, and Child PLUS.
• Serve as a bus monitor on assigned routes following all established guidelines.
• Any other duties as instructed by supervisors or Director.
• Tutor individuals or small groups, reinforcing and implementing instruction as directed by the teacher; maintain records of student progress.
• Participate as member of an instructional team including remediation teams.
• Prepare and organize lessons as directed by the teacher; administer and score tests according to guidelines; assist in determining English proficiency of identified students.
• Assist in administering diagnostic and other tests; score and record test information.
• Monitor and report student behavior according to approved procedures; report progress regarding performance and behavior; assist students with lab work as necessary.
• Perform routine clerical duties such as preparing instructional and classroom materials, operating copy machines, maintaining classroom records and attendance records.
• Support teacher by setting up work areas, displays, exhibits, operating audio‑visual equipment, educational training equipment, and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.
• Assist in overseeing students while in labs; provide supplies inventory as necessary.
• Provide students with proper examples, emotional support, friendly attitude and general guidance.
• Confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.
• Contact parents of absent students; make home visits as necessary.
• Assure health and safety of students by following practices and regulations.
• Direct group activities of students; assist in monitoring lunchroom and playground activities; assist in emergency drills, assemblies, play periods and field trips.
• Participate in meetings and in‑service training programs as assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Quality Standards (Head Start specific)

• Exhibit a professional and helpful manner with internal and external customers.
• Greet external customers with a smile and introduce himself/herself.
• Acknowledge customers by name.
• Actively listen to customer concerns and respond politely and professionally.
• Respond promptly to management and co‑worker requests.
• Demonstrate courtesy to co‑workers.
• Demonstrate willingness to assist in times of customer need.
• Resolve internal and external customer problems and grievances in a timely manner.
• Cooperate with others to resolve customer problems.
• Resolve conflict with peers, co‑workers, and management privately.
• Avoid use of cell phone while children are in the classroom.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of basic subjects taught in the District schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading. Safe practices in classroom and playground activities. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. Basic record‑keeping techniques.

Ability to learn child‑guidance principles and practices. Communicate and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff and the public, including members of ethnic communities. Perform routine clerical duties in support of classroom activities. Print and write legibly. Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately. Understand and follow oral and written directions. Learn procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Learn to apply and explain policies and procedures related to school and program activities. Work cooperatively with others. Monitor, observe and report students' behavior according to approved policies and procedures. Operate instructional and office equipment.

Education and Experience

Head Start specific: (Individualized according to position)

CDA (Child Development Associate) minimum.

Requirement is an AA degree (Associate) in Early Childhood Education.

Any combination equivalent to: high school diploma, G.E.D. certificate or demonstrated progress toward obtaining a G.E.D. as required by Kentucky law and some experience in working with children in an organized setting. Minimum of 48 college credit hours required or completion of the para‑educator test.

Position Type

Full‑Time

Salary

$14.46 to $15.65 Per Hour

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Contact Information

• Kristy Lewis, Director
• Paducah Head Start Preschool
• Phone: 270‑444‑5780
• Email: [e-mail]