Instructional Aide

Valley Life Charter•Visalia, CA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Mission of Valley Life Charter School is to provide a rigorous educational program emphasizing academics, leadership, and visual and performing arts. VLCS will provide authentic opportunities for students to apply the academics, leadership principles, and life skills taught for making good decisions. Students will encounter research-based academics, along with leadership opportunities in the classroom, in the school, and in the community. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Leadership, and character building are vital to the instructional philosophy at VLCS. To create an environment in which students feel respected and are willing to take risks, VLCS’ instructional philosophy is to create a school where students are well-mannered leaders with exceptional listening skills and the ability to follow the rules. Character development and leadership-building strategies will enhance the learning environment by allowing both the student and teacher to focus on the curriculum. This approach will be used to create a positive atmosphere and allow students to focus on educational goals and to develop the skills and self-confidence to succeed as leaders in the 21st Century. Valley Life Charter School was created with a vision to “develop community leaders, one student at a time” by building and developing character in youth, which supports the core values of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. These core values of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People will be interwoven throughout the Valley Life Charter School curriculum. We believe that every student has strengths, and we will identify and build on the strengths of our students to reach their potential. VLCS takes seriously its commitment to educating the whole person and will include social skills and character development with its program of academics, leadership, and visual and performing arts training. We further believe students learn best when placed in a loving and nurturing environment. Students excel when they can actively participate in their education through situations that allow for "hands-on" activities.

Requirements

Instructional Support staff must be cleared as NCLB : 48 credits earned from an accredited college Or Associates Degree or higher Or a passing score on the instructional assistant exam
First aid and CPR certified by the first day of employment
Valid TB Clearance by the first day of employment
Clear Criminal Background/Fingerprint Clearance
Maintain acceptable standards of physical health, energy, and emotional adjustment to the job environment.
Computer skills - proficiency and knowledge of Google and the G - suite and its and others as necessary
Commitment to work in an innovative, entrepreneurial and mission-driven school environment
Maintaining a professional appearance, grooming, and maturity establishes a desirable example for students.
Tolerate high levels of stress.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen and be responsive to colleagues, funders, administration, Board of Directors, parents, etc
Ability to work well independently and within a team environment, working efficiently and exercising excellent judgment in making decisions.
Good communication and interpersonal skills; accuracy, discretion, and ability to work independently as part of a team; flexibility; and willingness to learn are essential.
Apply common sense understanding of detailed multi-step instructions in written, oral, and diagrammatic form.

Responsibilities

Instructional Assistants in the classroom, library, computer lab, playground, etc.
Assist teachers as needed
Classroom setup: Arranging chairs and other classroom furniture
Readying classroom supplies, i.e., cutting, laminating, copying
Setting up a classroom for special activities, including: Circle/Calendar time Snack time
Preparing supplies for art activities (i.e., paint, glue, paper, etc.)
Decorating bulletin boards
Changing children’s artwork
Decorating rooms according to season or upcoming holiday
Organizing classroom supplies
Assist with the arrival and departure of children by: Monitoring and directing student traffic in the hallways and multipurpose room
Escorting children into proper classrooms
Helping children remove and hang up coats, backpacks, etc.
Identifying students who are out of compliance with the dress code and reporting to the proper staff
Directing tardy students to the office to obtain a pass
Maintain positive communication with students
Delivering notes/paperwork to the school office
Preparing and distributing correspondence (ex: newsletters, updates, supply requests, etc.) to parents and other teachers
Maintain positive communication with other staff members by: Demonstrating a professional and flexible attitude/rapport with other staff members
Participating in all school-wide activities, meetings, conferences, etc.
Checking e-mail and mailbox daily
Attending in-service training as assigned
Assist with the instruction of personal hygiene by: Ensuring children wash hands after bathroom breaks, before lunch, and before snack
Monitor and provide positive discipline as necessary by: Supervising playground activity
Supervising students in the lunchroom
Provide for any behavioral issues firmly but positively
Assisting the teacher with any discipline problems
Assist with all instructional activities and field trips by: Assisting with circle time (i.e., weather, story, calendar, songs)
Assisting children with cutting, gluing, painting, etc.
Reading stories to children
Providing small group and one-on-one instruction
Assisting with writing skills exercises
Providing instruction in the use of computers
Assisting children with one-on-one interaction and modeling
Assisting with field trip activities
Assisting with assemblies and other special functions
Filing necessary documents and notes
Assisting the teacher with the preparation of instructional materials
Grading papers and recording scores (as assigned by the teacher)
Administering tests (as assigned by the teacher)
Performing whatever tasks the teacher requires
Maintaining strict confidentiality at all times
Monitor and assist with student behavior management by: Assisting in the identification of student-related behavior problems
Implementing behavior modifications as directed by the classroom teacher
Implementing and directing building safety and discipline procedures
Maintaining student record confidentiality
Communicating with other staff as directly appropriate regarding behavior issues
Ensuring students adhere to school rules in the hallway and multipurpose room
Provide student supervision in nonacademic areas by: Escorting students to designated areas throughout the school for activities
Accompanying students during fire drills
Assisting the teacher during lockdowns
Complete classroom take-down by: Disinfecting equipment periodically - Cleaning equipment for summer storage
Preparing the room for next day, including cleaning cubbies, moving furniture back to normal position, straightening books, and pushing in chairs
Assist middle school and high school students with tutoring.