Instructional Assistant - Special Needs Preschool

Washington Elementary School; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 22,730 - 26,863; Full time

Job summary

A public school district in Glendale, Arizona, is seeking an Instructional Assistant for Special Needs Preschool to assist teachers in a diverse classroom. The role involves working individually or in groups with special education students on their academic and personal skills. Applicants must have a high school diploma and be CPR certified within 30 days. The position offers a salary between $16.50 and $19.50 per hour, with full and part-time opportunities available.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Verification of qualifications necessary.
• Must receive CPR certification within 30 days of hire.
• Preferred: Six months experience working with children.

Responsibilities

• Assist special needs students with various academic and daily living skills.
• Monitor behavior and enforce standards in classroom.
• Communicate with parents regarding student progress.
• Prepare classrooms for activities and assist in lesson planning.

Skills

Demonstrating child development theories

Knowing basic mathematical concepts

Working with children

Knowing special needs of students

Engaging communication skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)

Job description

Instructional Assistant - Special Needs Preschool

Summary: Under direct supervision, the incumbent provides assistance to teachers in a diverse classroom environment by delivering 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, the incumbent 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, demonstrating skills and techniques to aid in student learning, monitoring student behavior, and enforcing school and classroom standards and policies.
• Assists special‑need students in feeding, toileting/diapering, physical activities, instructions, and behavior management that remediates severe academic, emotional, and behavioral difficulties into a positive environment, and assists with adaptive equipment.
• Maintains discipline by monitoring student behavior and taking 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 cafeteria before school, during breakfast and lunch, and during recess; reports any unusual incidents or injuries to school administration; accompanies students from classrooms to other areas including the library, playground, cafeteria, and buses to ensure orderly behavior.
• 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 behavioral problems, and 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 students.
• Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) prior to being hired.
• Must receive CPR certification within thirty days of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Knowledge and Skills Required

• 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. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk or hear; stand; walk; sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; occasionally climb or balance; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required 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. Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions; noise level 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: Full & 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