FOCUS Instructional Assistant
About The Position
The Instructional Assistant - Special Education supports the classroom teacher and students under teacher supervision. The role includes assisting with instruction, following lesson plans, supporting students’ academic and behavioral goals, and helping students develop independence. The assistant may supervise students in the classroom and during activities elsewhere, including the cafeteria, playground, bus loading and unloading, field trips, restrooms, and off-site jobs. Additional duties may include helping students with self-care, lifting and transferring students, and responding to crisis situations using applicable training procedures. The position reports to the Principal and works under the supervision of the classroom teacher. The assistant is expected to communicate and collaborate effectively with students and staff, follow assigned schedules, maintain professional and confidential conduct, and carry out other related duties assigned by the building principal or Teacher of Record.
Requirements
- Meet one of the stated paraprofessional qualifications: an associate of arts degree, two years of college (48 credit hours), or passing the ParaPro exam.
- Ability to communicate effectively with students.
- Ability to proficiently assist the teacher in performing duties.
- Ability to communicate effectively and work well with staff as a team player.
- Ability to professionally and effectively engage with and/or de-escalate students during a crisis situation.
- Ability to maintain punctuality and perform duties in a timely manner.
- Dress professionally in accordance with the position.
Responsibilities
- Communicate effectively with students and work effectively as a team with staff.
- Assist the teacher with classroom preparation and performance of duties.
- Instruct students under teacher supervision and follow lesson plans with fidelity.
- Supervise and support students during assigned duties inside and outside the classroom, including cafeteria, playground, bus loading and unloading, field trips, restrooms, and off-site jobs.
- Follow students’ IEP and 504 plans with fidelity.
- Assist with preparing students for arrival and dismissal.
- Maintain effective communication with the Teacher of Record.
- Assist with collecting data for students’ academic and/or behavioral goals.
- Support students in achieving their maximum academic and behavioral independence as directed by the Teacher of Record.
- Professionally and effectively engage with or de-escalate students in their care during crisis situations.
- Follow the assigned daily schedule in a timely manner.
- Maintain positive, respectful, tactful, professional, and confidential relationships and conduct with administrators, colleagues, and students; support corporation policies and administrative directives; and arrive and perform duties on time.
- Assist students with self-care skills, including toileting, food preparation, feeding, and personal hygiene, as needed.
- Lift and transfer students, as needed.
- Use Crisis Prevention & Intervention training in accordance with CPI/Mandt Training procedures.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the building principal, principal’s designee, or Teacher of Record.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
