Job Title: Instructional Assistant (formerly Paraprofessional)

Reports To: School Principal

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

Performs a variety of paraprofessional curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to support teachers and other professional staff in a general or special education classroom or learning environment; assists with the daily management of the students and classroom.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Performs curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to assist teachers and other professional staff in a classroom or other instructional setting.

· Works with the teacher to provide instructional or developmental activities for a general or special education population.

· Performs remedial instruction or tasks to reinforce learning initiated by a teacher or professional staff.

· Works with students requiring individual or close attention.

· Observes and assists individual students experiencing difficulties.

· Assists the teacher with the development of individualized programs.

· Prepares a variety of instructional materials and reports, as requested.

· Works with individuals or small groups of students.

· Reads to children, listens to their recitations, and suggests improvements.

· Monitors groups of students engaged in drawing, writing, independent study, or similar work while the teacher is otherwise occupied.

· Assists with teaching classes of basic skills and may monitor a computer, writing, or other technology laboratories under general supervision.

· May assist with instructing students with special needs under the supervision of the teacher, including monitoring students on independent work.

· Supervises and monitors students in off-site vocational training and community travel settings, as assigned.

· Helps maintain order and discipline and assists with managing the behavior of students, including crisis management.

· Proctors tests and examinations, corrects and scores objective tests.

· Maintains inventory and distributes textbooks and other instructional materials.

· Assists with maintenance of files containing student work and evaluation and assessment data.

· Continues instructional activities during the teacher’s absence from the classroom; assists with routine care, including personal hygiene, feeding and other tasks, as required or requested.

· On occasion, serves as a substitute teacher.

· Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from high school or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of child growth and development
• Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices applicable to assignment
• Knowledge of subject matter reinforcement practices of the classes to which assigned
• Ability to implement teachers’ instructional plans in assigned field
• Considerable patience and ability to work effectively with children, young adults and faculty members
• Ability to assist with the implementation of an instructional program and to participate in monitoring and ensuring appropriate student behavior
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see and use repetitive motions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff. Employee must move about the building and be able to maneuver in tight spaces between desks, etc. Employee may kneel, squat, stoop, and/or bend on an occasional to frequent basis. Must see and hear on a continuous basis as well as speak frequently. Position varies from standing, sitting, walking, etc. Occasionally, it may be necessary to move quickly, run, etc. over smooth or uneven surfaces.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the principal roles and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the school environment is often elevated. Working in classrooms with florescent lighting. Duties are performed indoors and occasionally outdoors.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive listing of the activities, duties or responsibilities and may change at any time.

May, 2024

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.66 - $24.85 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• Middle school

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

School type:

• Charter school

Ability to Commute:

• Springfield, MA 01129 (Required)

Work Location: In person