Magnolia Elementary - Preschool Instructional Assistant - 1.0 FTE

Seattle Public Schools; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools seeks an Instructional Assistant to support teachers in delivering developmentally appropriate instruction and to assist in managing an Early Learning classroom environment.

The role includes planning assistance, classroom organization, student progress input, and clerical support to teaching staff, ensuring safety and adherence to program philosophy.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or 72 quarter hours / 48 semester hours preferred.
• Passing score on Praxis Parapro Assessment Test required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the assigned teacher with planning and implementing activities aligned to curriculum objectives.
• Maintain classroom environment, records, and student files; prepare materials as needed.
• Monitor students in various settings to ensure safety and a positive learning environment.
• Provide input on student progress to teachers and families; attend meetings as needed.
• Perform clerical tasks to support teachers and staff, including attendance and recordkeeping.

Skills

Keyboarding

Computer use

Communication with diverse groups

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or 72 quarter hours / 48 semester hours

Praxis Parapro Assessment Test passing score

Job description

The job of Instructional Assistant is done for the purpose/s of working with individual and/or small groups of students under the supervision of a certificated teacher in the supervision and instruction of students; and providing clerical support to teacher/s and staff. Instructional Assistants assigned to an Early Learning classroom support the developmentally appropriate classroom environment with instructional strategies that are unique to young children.

• Assist assigned teacher with both long and short range planning and implementation of activities in accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice and program philosophy.
• Provide input for assessment tool of children's development by providing anecdotal records.
• Arrange a classroom environment in accordance to program goals and philosophy and help to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Meet all applicable state licensing or classroom certification regulations.
• Attends functions as assigned (e.g. meetings, in-service presentations, trainings, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Confers with teachers and/or parents as may be required for the purpose of providing input into the evaluation of students' progress and/or implementing/modifying students' objectives.
• Implements under the supervision of assigned teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving students academic success through a defined course of study.
• Maintains classroom resources, work area, students files/records (e.g. adapting instructional materials, audio visual equipment, bulletin boards, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, library, lunchroom, bus loading/unloading, etc.) for the purpose of identifying required assistance and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs record keeping and clerical functions (e.g. copying, correcting papers, completing attendance verifications, taking and recording phone calls, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the teacher and/or in providing necessary records/materials.
• Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.
• Responds to emergency situations (e.g. injured student, fights, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Supports classroom teacher for the purpose of assisting them in the implementation of curriculum and teaching methodologies.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Performs related duties consistent with the scope of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Skills are required to perform multiple, non-technical tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.
• Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.
• Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles; and age appropriate activities.
• Ability is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment.
• Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods.
• Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment.
• In working with others, some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans.
• Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate.
• Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with constant interruptions.
• Ability to keyboard, use computers.

EDUCATION:

High school diploma or equivalent and 1) completion of an associate degree, OR 2) completion of two years of college, not a degree but seventy-two (72) quarter hours or forty-eight (48) semester hours of college credit, or 3) a passing score on the Praxis Parapro Assessment Test.

YEARS OF RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:

One year of related paid work experience.

CERTIFICATION & LICENSES:

Valid State of Washington Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility

CLEARANCES:

Criminal Justice Fingerprint & background check.