What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructional Assistant - Early Childhood Education position at Focused Staffing?
Position: Instructional Assistant - Early Childhood Education
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under the direction of an assigned administrator, assist in the care, supervision, instruction and learning activities in the classroom and on the playground of early childhood-aged students; perform other related duties as assigned. Early childhood for this job description is defined as preschool and transitional kindergarten-aged students.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.
- Assist teachers in creating and maintaining a learning environment designed to develop the physical, cognitive, emotional, creative, language, and social skills of early childhood-aged students; assist facilitating learning experiences that promote autonomy, interactions, and choice.
- Supervise small groups or individual students under the direction of and in collaboration with the teacher; monitor students on the playground; assist with supervising students during arrival and dismissal, during recess and/or lunch breaks, as needed.
- Demonstrate standards of behavior and utilize a positive approach while working with children; assist with data collection and entry of student observations using multiple sources of information; assist in providing feedback on students’ progress.
- Assist with snacks/meals and adhere to guidelines of meal services as appropriate; set up plates and meals; clean serving area after meals as needed.
- Assist students with cleanliness and self-help skills including toilet training; follow District and department protocols for toileting as needed.
- Maintain and assure a clean, safe, attractive and positive learning environment; assist teachers in performing light housekeeping duties, including cleaning the classroom after students leave and preparing for the next day.
- Assist in administering routine first aid to students as needed; assist in administering medication and medical procedures in accordance with specific training and Individualized Health Plans.
- Operate a variety of audio-visual, office, and instructional equipment; perform a variety of clerical duties, such as updating student profiles, setting up work areas and displays, assembling instructional materials, taking attendance, making copies, distributing and collecting paper/supplies.
- Greet parents when picking up or dropping off students; answer questions.
- Assist with parent conferences as assigned; participate in field trips with the students.
- Participate in professional development and training sessions as assigned; attend staff meetings as assigned.
Requirements / Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Graduation from high school or equivalent
- Must have an AA degree (or higher) or at least 48 semester units or pass an assessment test
- One year of experience working with children in an instructional capacity.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION INCLUDE:
- Valid Child Development Associate Teacher Permit (or higher) issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
- Valid First Aid and CPR certificates
- Knowledge of basic concepts used in Early Childhood Education
- Knowledge of basic child psychology and development. Knowledge of appropriate safety precautions and procedures
- Ability to appropriately manage student behavior and guide students toward acceptable social behavior
- Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with children. Ability to interact with children and adults in an effective manner
- Ability to demonstrate and implement learning activities for children.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Will work in a classroom/playground environment with constant interruptions
- Noise level ranges from moderately loud to quiet settings
