Instructional Assistant - TK

Palmdale School District•Palmdale, CA

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of a certificated teacher and site administrator, this position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in assisting the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) educational programs. Incumbents in this classification will facilitate support for students between the ages of 3 and 5 years old, to meet their education needs. Responsibilities include preparing learning materials, assisting with classroom management, and providing personal care to students. An Instructional Assistant for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) specializes in supporting early childhood development, focusing on social, motor, and pre-academic skills, emotional regulation and play-based learning. Key characteristics include extreme patience, creativity, ability to manage high-energy classrooms, and collaborating with teachers to implement play-based learning and self-help skills. In addition, TK Assistants support young students with personal hygiene (e.g. toileting, feeding, and cleanliness).

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
A minimum of twelve (12) completed units of coursework in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development from a regionally accredited college or university
One of the following required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, math, and classroom instruction: a) AA degree or higher; or b) Completion of 48 units from a nationally accredited college or university; or c) Passage of a proficiency test administered by the Palmdale School District.
If you are attempting to satisfy the academic proficiency requirement, official college transcripts must be attached to the application to validate the degree awarded or completion of 48+ college units.
If official transcripts are not attached to the application, you will be required to take and pass the academic proficiency assessment in addition to the job-specific examination for this position.
Foreign degrees and credit units require translation and equivalency established by an agency recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Nice To Haves

Some Instructional Assistant experience working with preschool-aged children in an educational or child care setting.

Responsibilities

Support the classroom teacher in the facilitation of classroom and learning station activities and projects, and in general cleanup after classroom projects.
Supports classroom routines, including arrival, meals/snacks, rest time, dismissal, outings and other activities; oversees bus loading and unloading.
Observe students; provide individualized or small group instruction; answer questions; counsel and calm students as needed.
Assist in supervising and maintaining order among students in the classroom and on school grounds during playground and other activities.
Assist children with self-help, hygiene, and toilet training, as required.
Support the teacher in assessing programs and organizing instructional materials.
Maintain a neat, orderly, and attractive learning environment; assist with preparing bulletin board materials and classroom decorations.
Attend and participate in staff in-service and other meetings as required.
Prepare and operate audio-visual, computer, standard office, and other related equipment that support the instructional program.
Perform a variety of general clerical duties.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.