Instructional Assistant - Special Needs Preschool

Sunset; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Washington Elementary School District in Glendale, AZ is seeking an Instructional Assistant - Special Needs Preschool to support teachers and students in a diverse classroom. You will help provide materials, work with special needs students individually or in groups, and assist with daily activities and lesson plans.

Responsibilities include monitoring safety on the playground and in the cafeteria, communicating with parents about progress, and preparing classrooms and materials for activities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required prior to hiring.
• CPR certification within 30 days of hire.
• AZ IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card required.
• Preferred: Six months experience working with children in a learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with special education students individually or in groups on academic, social, emotional, functional, language and behavior skills and activities of daily living.
• Monitor students on the playground and in the cafeteria to maintain safety and proper conduct.
• Prepare classrooms for activities, set up materials, and copy/organize educational resources.
• Communicate progress and concerns with parents, and help implement teacher plans and feedback.
• Assist with planning and coordinating lesson plans by sharing ideas and feedback from students.

Skills

Child development

Math concepts

Classroom activities

Working with children

Special needs understanding

Techniques and procedures

Group activities

Lesson plans

School policies

Communication with supervisors

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Instructional Assistant - Special Needs Preschool

Washington Elementary School District 6 Sunset - Glendale, Arizona Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Washington Elementary School District

Job Details

Job ID: 5865193
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Aug 01, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 3, 2026

Job Description

Pay Grade: L(Non-Exempt Support Staff Salary Placement)

Location: Various

Accountable To: Principal

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Calendar: 195

Creation/Revision Date: January 8, 2024

Summary:

Under direct supervision, incumbent(s) provides assistance to teachers in a diverse classroom environment by providing materials and handouts to special education students, working with special needs students individually or in groups on special projects or assignments, demonstrating skills and techniques, communicating with parents regarding specific concerns, providing input to lesson plans and daily activities, photocopying materials and preparing classrooms for various activities. In addition, incumbent(s) monitors students on the playground and in the cafeteria.

Essential Functions:

• Works with special education students individually or in-groups on special projects or assignments such as academic, social, emotional, functional, language, and behavior skills and activities of daily living. Demonstrates skills and techniques in order to aid in student learning. Monitors student behaviour and enforces school and classroom standards and policies.
• Assists special need student(s) in feeding, toileting/diapering, physical activities, instructions, and behavior management that remediates severe academic, emotional, and behavioural difficulties into a positive environment. Assists with adaptive equipment.
• Maintains discipline by monitoring student behaviour and taking the appropriate action including determining when to give a warning and when a formal notice should be written. Prepares incident documents including disciplinary actions and documentation for unusual incidents.
• Monitors students and ensures safety on the playground and the cafeteria area before school, during breakfast and lunch, and during recess. Reports any unusual incidents or injury to school administration. Accompanies students from classrooms to other areas including the library, playground, and cafeteria and to buses to ensure orderly behaviour.
• Prepares classrooms for activities including setting up tables and chairs and handing out materials. Performs clean up after activities including picking up toys and trash, washing tables and chairs and rearranging furniture.
• Communicates with parents regarding progress and concerns including improvements in specific academic areas, truancy and behavioural problems. Interprets communications between teachers and parents when necessary.
• Copies and prepares educational materials.
• Assists teachers in planning and coordinating lesson plans by sharing ideas and providing feedback from the students.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) prior to being hired;
• Must receive CPR certification within thirty days of hire date.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).

Preferred Qualifications:

It is preferred that applicant possesses the following preferred qualifications; however, the following qualifications are not required to be eligible for this position.

• Six months experience working with children in a learning environment.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications for this job description 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.

Skills required, but not limited to, for this position include:

• Demonstrating child development theories;
• Knowing basic mathematical concepts;
• Using typical activities within a classroom environment;
• Working with children;
• Knowing special needs of students;
• Demonstrating appropriate techniques and procedures;
• Facilitating group activities in a learning environment;
• Reviewing completed work assignments;
• Preparing classroom for various activities;
• Reading and following lesson plans;
• Applying school rules, policies and procedures;
• Engaging and encouraging communication skills while interacting with supervisors, staff, students, etc. to exchange information.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements 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 use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

The working 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Washington Elementary School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Washington Elementary School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students.

Position Type: Part-Time

Salary: $16.50 to $19.50 Per Hour

Job Categories:

• Instructional Support > Individual Aide
• Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA
• Special Education > Special Education Assistant
• Support Staff > Supervisory Aide

Contact Information

• Crystal Bustamante , Principal
• Sahuaro
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]