Instructional Assistant - Special Education (SPED) Central Elementary 2026-27

Young World Physical Education; Palmyra (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education seeks an Instructional Assistant for Central Elementary in Palmyra, Virginia. This full-time position involves assisting handicapped students in daily living and academic activities, supporting teachers, and preparing lesson materials.

The ideal candidate must hold a high school diploma, have a valid driver's license, and meet the highly qualified standards set by the state. A passion for supporting students with disabilities is essential.

Qualifications

• Valid Virginia Driver's license required.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions.
• Must be highly qualified according to state standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist handicapped pupils with daily activities.
• Support teachers in classroom tasks.
• Prepare lesson materials and administer assessments.

Skills

Communication skills

Instructional support

Ability to work with disabled students

Basic mathematical skills

Reasoning ability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education

Obtained an associates (or higher) degree

Job description

Instructional Assistant - Special Education (SPED) Central Elementary 2026-27

Fluvanna County Public Schools Central Elementary School (PK-2) - Palmyra, Virginia

Job Details

Job ID: 5730980

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: May 21, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 1, 2026

Salary Scale: Instructional Assistant Salary Scale: https://www.fluco.org/o/fcs/page/salary-scales

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

POSITION TYPE: Full‑Time

JOB CATEGORIES: Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Attach transcripts and/or the ParaPro score report to your online application for review.

SUMMARY

Work closely with one or a few handicapped pupils on a regular basis in an effort to provide them with the physical help and emotional support they need to gain benefits from the division's special education program.

Performs any combination of following instructional tasks in classroom to assist teaching staff of an elementary or secondary school by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Other duties may be assigned.

• Discusses assigned teaching area with classroom teacher to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Prepares lesson outline and plan in assigned area and submits outline to teacher for review.
• Plans, prepares, and develops various teaching aids such as bibliographies, charts, and graphs.
• Presents subject matter to students, utilizing variety of methods and techniques such as lecture, discussion, and supervised role playing.
• Prepares, administers, and grades examinations.
• Assists students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts by:
  • Reading to children
  • Assisting children in the library
  • Writing the dictation given by young children
  • Helping children locate and use materials
  • Encouraging safety habits in work and play
  • Encouraging children to work independently
  • Listening to children
• Confers with parents on progress of students.
• Assists teachers with routine tasks such as:
  • Recording attendance and other information
  • Collecting money
  • Gathering resource and supplementary materials
  • Setting up and operating audiovisual equipment
  • Fire drills
  • Field trips (during the assigned working hours)
  • Special events (during the assigned working hours)
  • Clerical duties including dictation, typing and record keeping
  • Correct student work
  • Supervise the entire classroom when called upon to do so by the classroom teacher or building principal
• Attend parent/teacher meetings (if appropriate).
• Assist the student(s) to whom assigned in all facets of daily living to include but not limited to moving from room to room, toiletry, personal hygiene assistance along with changing/cleaning, undergarments, outerwear and feeding.
• Hears the student(s) in recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks, guiding and helping them but not teaching them.
• Performs simple errands and tasks for student(s) such as sharpening pencils, carrying lunch trays, and the like.
• Under supervision of the special education teacher, works with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher.
• Accompanies the student(s) to whom assigned when trips to the office or to the school nurse are necessary.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the student personnel evaluation team conferring about one of the students to whom assigned.
• Assist with student transportation and medical delivery as needed or assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Valid Virginia Driver's license required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); Individuals must be highly qualified to be considered for this position.

There are three options to meet the designation of highly qualified (one of the three must be met):

• Completed two years of study at an institution of higher education; OR
• Obtained an associates (or higher) degree; OR
• Met a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness). Example includes the ParaPro Assessment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one‑on‑one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to push items of 50 pounds such as pushing a child on a bike or swing, or moving/rearranging furniture. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

10 month contract

EVALUATION

Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of classified personnel.

Job Requirements

• High School/Trade School degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Contact Information

• Amy Barnabei , Principal
• Central Elementary School (PK-2)
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]