Instructional Assistant - Special Programs, Pre-Kindergarten

Wake County Public School System•Cary, NC

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Instructional Assistant-Pre-K Blended supports classroom teachers with classroom activities and general administrative tasks. The assistant implements goals and objectives established by licensed teachers and works directly with students, individually or in groups, across curricular areas as directed by teachers or administrators. Depending on the assignment, the role may support Pre-K general education, special education, and/or Title I classrooms. The assistant may collaborate with teachers on strategies related to childcare licensure requirements, when applicable. The position provides instructional and program support, helps maintain an encouraging, caring, safe, and healthy classroom environment, and assists with students’ special health care needs. In preschool special education and blended programs, the assistant also supports implementation of students’ behavioral intervention plans and classroom assistive technology and augmentative communication devices. The role is based at a school site in the Office of Early Learning and may involve occasional evening and weekend work.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED/equivalent.
For NC Pre-K programs: hold or be working toward an associate degree in birth-through-kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or a related early childhood education field, or hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Instructional assistants working toward the minimum associate degree must complete at least six documented semester hours per year.
For Title I schools, meet the employment requirements outlined by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Public Law 114-95.
Maintain Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) certification, including completing renewal requirements and timelines; training will be provided by WCPSS if needed.
Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Apps.
Working knowledge of successful instructional delivery methods and core subjects at the assigned grade level.
Ability to support students from diverse backgrounds and with varied learning abilities and styles.
Ability to protect confidential personally identifiable information in accordance with FERPA and other applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team and establish effective working relationships with school staff, students, parents, businesses, community agencies, and the public.
Ability to motivate students, constantly supervise their safety and well-being, and implement academic and behavioral interventions as needed.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, using a variety of communication techniques and tools.
Ability to demonstrate the professional and technical skills necessary to support classroom and school programs.

Nice To Haves

CPR and First Aid certification.
For Pre-K Special Education and Blended programs, experience working with or assisting individuals with special needs, including physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disabilities or impairments.

Responsibilities

Assist teachers with classroom and instructional activities and with implementing the total school program.
Help maintain an encouraging, caring, safe, and healthy environment for students.
Help plan and organize instruction, evaluate instructional activities, develop classroom licensure procedures, and prepare materials for lessons.
Work with individual students and groups in different licensed Pre-K classrooms or school areas as needed.
Participate in district staff development and continued professional growth related to the assignment.
Maintain a positive disposition, exercise good judgment, and remain calm when working with students.
Compile, maintain, and file reports, records, and other required documents while protecting confidentiality.
Coordinate and assist students with special health care needs, including hygiene, restroom functions, diapering, mobility, lifting, positioning, transferring, and behavioral support.
Support teachers in coordinating instructional programs for special education students, including familiarity with students’ IEPs.
Assist teachers with strategies for implementing students’ behavioral intervention plans.
Assist teachers with implementing low- and high-tech assistive technology and augmentative communication devices to meet class-wide and individual student needs.
Perform other related duties as assigned.