Instructional Assistant

Essential Functions / Typical Tasks :

Assisting the teacher with instructional activities; assisting students to reinforce material already presented through special efforts and repetitions; preparing and maintaining files and reports.

The following tasks are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Assists teacher(s) in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks.
• Prepares instructional materials; reads to students.
• Assists the classroom teacher in creating an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Conducts learning exercises with small groups of students or with individual students as directed and designed by the teacher.
• Provides escort and assistance to children as necessary.
• Checks students work for compliance with teacher's instructions.
• Assists students with reading, spelling and handwriting skills.
• Helps maintain individual records for each student.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Assists in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct.
• Helps maintain order in the classroom; monitors students to keep them on tasks.
• Performs a variety of office assistance tasks such as photocopying, filing, answering the telephone, etc. as required.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

General knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques used in classroom teaching; ability to maintain confidential files and information and to compile reports; ability to deal effectively with students and teachers; skill in the use of classroom and instructional equipment; ability to operate standard office, word and data processing equipment; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, parents, students and associates.

Education and Experience :

All instructional assistants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and provide written documentation that the individual has : (1) Obtained an associate (or higher) degree; or (2) Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or, (3) successful completion of the Parapro Assessment with a score of 455 or higher.

Physical Requirements :

This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, and some medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, and noise.