Instructional Assistant

Job Title:                          Instructional Assistant

FLSA Status:                  Non-exempt

Job Summary

Position is responsible for assisting the classroom teacher by performing tasks which are assigned and directed by the teacher.  The tasks must not infringe upon the responsibilities reserved for certified teacher.  It is vital that both the teacher and the aide fully understand the limitations as well as the tasks of the aide.

Essential Duties

To assist teachers with instructional activities such as:

• Reading to children.
• Assisting children in library.
• Writing dictation given by children.
• Helping children locate and use materials.
• Encouraging safety habits in work and play.
• Assisting children to understand and follow directions and rules.
• Encouraging children to work independently.
• Listening to children read.
• Assisting small groups of children in various subject areas under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
• Reinforcing skills taught by the classroom teacher to small and large groups.
• Helping children individually with special assignments and academic problems.
• Enriching classroom activities through the use of personal experiences, interests, and talents.
• Other instructional activities during assigned working hours.

To assist teacher with routine tasks such as:

• Recording attendance and other information.
• Collecting money.
• Preparing the classroom for instruction.
• Gathering resource and supplementary materials.
• Setting up and operating audiovisual equipment.
• Preparing instructional materials.
• Other routine task during assigned working hours.

To assist teachers on occasions such as:

• Fire drills
• Field trips during the assigned working hours.
• Activities for parents during the assigned working hours.
• Special events during the assigned working hours.
• Other occasions during the assigned working hours.

To perform other duties as assigned by the principal and/or classroom teacher.

Job Specifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

• Must hold at least an Associated Degree or successful test results on the ParaPro Assessment.
• Demonstrate basic reading, writing, and computation skills.
• Have previous experience working with groups of children.
• Have good physical and emotional health.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors, and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; and to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment.  Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Clearance

Criminal Justice Background check, Fingerprinting, TB Assessment

Supervision Received:  Principal and Teacher

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.  The applicant will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator.  Accomack County Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.

The Accomack County School System does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, handicap, race, religion, color, or national origin in its employment practices.

"We are an equal opportunity employer."