Instructional Assistant - Kindergarten (1 Year Contract Only)

Bentonville Schools; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Bentonville Schools in Bentonville, AR is seeking an Instructional Assistant for Kindergarten to support certified staff, reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics and computer instruction, and assist in administering assessments.

The role includes supervising lunch, bus duty, field trips, and other non-instructional tasks, along with classroom preparation and materials distribution. Experience with IEPs and collaboration with parents is valued.

Qualifications

• Must have ability to carry out instructions.
• Must have ability to reinforce instructional materials for diverse learners.
• Experience with students with special needs desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning.
• Assists professional staff in administration and correction of exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions and keep students on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas such as lunch, bus duty, playground, corridor, study hall and other related duties.
• Accompanies students on field trips for supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distributes educational materials as needed.
• Assists teacher with parent contact to foster involvement.
• Supports students with special needs to maximize inclusion and achievement.
• Participates in IEP process as needed.
• Assists with activities of daily living for students with disabilities to maximize participation.
• Follows safety rules and procedures for all students.

Skills

Instructional support

Reading & math support

Classroom management

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Special needs education exposure

No Child Left Behind Act familiarity

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

Instructional Assistant - Kindergarten

• This position is for a 1 year contract for the current school year only.***

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distribute and use educational materials as needed.
• Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in IEP process and serves as resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• May occasionally be required to support student behavior by engaging in appropriate restraining or seclusion techniques - only for the safety of the student

Additional Duties

• Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

• Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.
• May be required to use student support equipment for transport, etc.

Travel Requirements

Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Works in a public school environment
• Must be capable of safely traversing all assigned areas of the school facility
• Must be capable of safely lifting up to 30 pounds
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.
• Ability to physically assist students complying with emergency evacuation or lockdown procedures
• May occasionally be required to support student behavior by engaging in appropriate restraint or seclusion techniques - for student safety only

Qualifications Profile

• Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of college level coursework or passing of examination as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.