Thornton Creek Elementary - Preschool Instructional Assistant - 1.0 FTE

Seattle Public Schools; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools seeks an Instructional Assistant to support a certificated teacher and work with students in an Early Learning classroom, under supervision. You will help implement activities, prepare materials, monitor progress, and maintain records.

The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus options for further education (associate degree or college hours) and Praxis Parapro; a criminal background check and mobility considerations are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or 72 quarter hours / 48 semester hours preferred.
• Passing Praxis Parapro Assessment required.
• Criminal background check and valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher with planning and implementing activities per curriculum.
• Maintain classroom resources, records, and student files.
• Monitor students to ensure a safe and positive learning environment.
• Input observations and assist with assessment records; communicate with families.

Skills

Instructional support

Record keeping

Communicating with families

Keyboard/Computer use

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree or 72 quarter hours / 48 semester hours

Praxis Parapro Assessment

Job description

Overview of Position
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.

Essential Functions

• 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

Typical Qualifications
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.
Seattle Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click HERE for an overview of available benefit options.
Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours employees are anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Any employee who is scheduled to work 630 hours or more in a year is eligible for benefits.

Salary Schedule

Please find the salary schedule associated with this role and others like it HERE.
01
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02
Have you completed an associate degree or higher or two years of college (72 quarter hours or 48 semester hours of college credit)?

• Yes
• No

03
If no degree or college hours/credits, are you willing to take the Education Testing Service (ETS) paraeducator assessment?

• Yes
• No

04
Are you a current Seattle Public Schools classified PARA employee in a permanent FTE position?

• Yes
• No

05
Are you a current Seattle Public Schools classified PARA substitute?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you have one year of related paid work experience?

• Yes
• No

07
Please describe how you met or exceeded the required year of work experience.

• Required Question