Primary Instructional Assistant

Canon City, CO; Cañon City (CO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

PERA retirement

Paid time off

Professional development

Longevity incentives

Job summary

The School District Fremont RE-1 is hiring an Instructional Assistant at McKinley Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year. This full-time role runs 7:40am–2:40pm, 164 days, and supports a lead teacher while gaining hands-on experience toward licensure.

The pay is hourly, with $17.86–$18.93 per hour and $50 extra per day if certified as a substitute. Benefits include health, retirement, PTO, and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalency required.
• Enrolled in Colorado educator program preferred (2nd/3rd year).
• Praxis exams completed for licensure preferred.
• Experience with children preferred; strong communication and social skills.

Responsibilities

• Support classroom instruction under guidance of a certified teacher.
• Work with individual students, small groups, or entire classes to reinforce learning.
• Assist in managing classroom routines and expectations.
• Help implement lesson plans and learning activities.
• Supervise students in various settings (classroom, hallway, lunch, recess).
• Support students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
• Attend trainings and meetings as required.
• Maintain student confidentiality and support a positive learning environment.
• May assist with substitute coverage if qualified and licensed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Reading and writing

Technology literacy

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalency

Colorado educator program, 2nd-3rd year (preferred)

Praxis exams completed for licensure (preferred)

Tools

Google Workspace

Tablets

Interactive displays

Job description

Start Date

As soon as agreed upon for 2026-2027 School Year

Position Type

Full-time from 7:40am to 2:40pm, 164 days per year, one year only

Location

McKinley Elementary School

Salary

Pay for this position is determined by the Instructional Support Salary Schedule based on years of experience and education, $17.86-$18.93 per hour/minimum pay, $50.00 a day extra if assigned as a certified substitute teacher.

Benefits Include

Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, PERA retirement, paid time off, as well as other optional benefit elections. Longevity and professional development incentives.

Purpose of the Job

To provide instructional and classroom support under the direction of a lead teacher. This position is designed for individuals enrolled in an accredited teacher preparation program, currently in their 2nd or 3rd year of coursework. Instructional Assistants gain hands‑on experience while developing the skills needed for future certification and licensure. This position is a valuable step for aspiring educators who are preparing for a future teaching career. Instructional Assistants in this role benefit from daily engagement with students and educators while continuing their academic journey toward licensure.

Education

Must have a High School diploma or equivalency.

Enrolled in an approved Colorado Department of Education educator preparation program (preferred to be in 2nd or 3rd year of coursework)

Required Praxis Exams completed for licensure preferred

Experience

Experience working with children preferred and Strong communication and social skills

Licenses/Certificates

Valid Colorado Substitute Authorization (required)

Other Criteria

• Criminal background check required for hire


• Ability to work cooperatively in a school atmosphere with staff members, students, and the public.


• Ability to effectively read, write, speak, and listen to comply with directions and instructions to complete tasks and establish priorities.


• Integrity, trust and work ethic to work with little supervision.


• Competent understanding of technology to perform the job.


• Must pass pre-employment physical


• Ability to perform light lifting and moving of product (up to 50lbs)


• Physical strength and coordination to meet the educational, physical, and emotional needs of students assigned.


• Implements appropriate physical and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of district data


• Maintain good security practices with passwords and accounts for the various district systems and applications.


• Reports actual or suspected breaches in the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of district data to appropriate district personnel.


• Follows all board policies for acceptable use of district technology.


• Model the District's Mission and Belief Statements.

Essential Duties of the Job

• Support classroom instruction under the guidance of a certified teacher


• Work with individual students, small groups, or entire classes to reinforce learning


• Assist in managing classroom routines and expectations


• Help implement lesson plans and learning activities


• Supervise students in various settings (classroom, hallway, lunch, recess, etc.)


• Support students' academic, behavioral, and social‑emotional needs


• Attend trainings and meetings as required


• Maintain student confidentiality and support a positive learning environment


• May be asked to assist with substitute coverage if qualified and licensed


• Other duties as assigned

Additional Duties for Preschool Paraprofessionals

• Must attend all preschool-required training.

Skills, Knowledge, Equipment & Other

• Operate instructional and office equipment


• Use of educational technology (e.g., Google Workspace, tablets, interactive displays)


• Understanding of classroom and behavior management strategies

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Requirements for Essential Functions of the Job

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, feel, or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds from floor to waist, waist to overhead, waist to floor, and overhead to floor. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a school setting. Travel from site to site may occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment ranges from generally quiet to increased when working events or with equipment occasionally. Classroom and 1:1 settings and possible outside supervisory duties in inclement weather. Must be able to work in person.

Mental Functions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to analyze and compute. Frequently required to compare, communicate, coordinate, instruct, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, and compile. Occasionally required to copy, synthesize, and negotiate.

Disclaimer

This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. It is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements essential for making compensation decisions. This job description is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the District.

Equal Opportunity Statement

In compliance with Titles VI; VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, School District Fremont RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates.

Complaint Procedure

School District Fremont RE-1 has established complaint procedures for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. Complaints may be filed verbally, in writing, or anonymously. If you wish to file a complaint using the district complaint form, please submit it to: Ms. Jamie Davis, Director of Human Resources, Title IX, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, 101 North 14th Street, Colorado 81212 – Telephone: [phone], Email: [e-mail]