Lower School Instructional Aide (2025-26 Sy)

Job Title: Lower School Instructional Aide

Department: School-Wide

Category: Support Staff; Hourly; Non-Exempt

Reports To: Classroom teacher, Lower School Principal

Wage Range: $19.00 - $22.50 DOE

Schedule: 2-6 hours/day while school is in-session.

Summary: The Lower School Instructional Aide assists in the effective execution of the classroom program by assisting the teacher in any and all areas necessary for learning, including working with students one-on-one and in small groups, helping with daily tasks and assignments generated by the classroom teacher, assuring that the mission of the schools is supported. The Instructional Aide models a servant’s heart and promotes an attitude of respect, teamwork, and professionalism by speaking well of other faculty and staff members; supporting our entire school system-lower school, middle school, upper school; praying for and with other faculty and staff; encouraging others in Godly living and excellence; lovingly holding others accountable; actively pursuing ways to encourage members of the schools..

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

(Other duties may be assigned)

• Assists the classroom teacher as needed.

• Working with students one on one or in a group, classroom tasks like setting up supplies, handing out papers, making copies, assembling booklets or assignments, precisely correcting homework, assisting with projects, etc.

• Works with the teacher on prioritizing tasks for timeliness and efficiency

• As much as possible, anticipates what needs to be done

• Accompanies students to and from buildings and classrooms

• Performs playground/recess duty

• Assists in maintaining discipline and demonstrates effective classroom management skills

• Participates in faculty and professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops as required

• Able to be patient but firm with students; feels comfortable hugging as well as disciplining

• Keeps attention focused on students and areas assigned at all times.

To perform the job successfully, Instructional Aide should demonstrate the following qualities:

Spiritual

• Models a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ in speech, actions, and attitudes

• Integrates Christ, God’s word, and his/her faith into classroom lessons

• Shows support for the role of parents as primarily responsible before God for their children’s education and assists them in that task

Instructional

• Demonstrates mastery of the subject matter

• Uses valid teaching techniques to achieve curriculum goals and promote student learning

• Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of all students, challenging each to do his/her best work while preparing him/her for the next level

• Uses the maximum amount of class time for instruction

• Uses homework effectively for review

• Assesses the learning of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required

• Communicates student expectations at the beginning of the year and throughout the year; uses school administrative software to post homework and grades as well as other needed information

• Keeps proper discipline in the classroom, on school premises, and at school activities

• Experience and/or understanding of At-Risk students; learning interventions, and motivational strategies

• Varies teaching strategies to reach all learning styles

• Demonstrates life-long learning

Non-instructional and Professional

• Cooperates with the administration in implementing all policies, procedures, and directives governing the operations of the school

• Maintains regular and accurate attendance and grade records

• Keeps students, parents, and the administration adequately informed of deficiencies and gives sufficient notice of failure

• Maintains a clean, attractive, and well-ordered classroom

• Accepts a share of responsibility for extra-curricular activities as assigned

• Willing to listen to the counsel of administration, colleagues and parents, and is teachable

• Attends and participates in scheduled devotional, committee, and faculty meetings

• Arrives at work on time (7:45am) and stays until the work day is officially complete (3:45 pm)

• Reports to all scheduled supervision duties

• Dresses in a professional way Contacts parents within 24 hours of initial inquiry

• Collaborates with other teachers within the system

Personal

• Demonstrates the character qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, humility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, and perseverance

• Meets everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity, and optimism

• Exercises friendliness and consideration, treats students without partiality

• Submits respectfully and is loyal to constituted authority

• Develops rapport with students, parents, and staff to promote a positive learning environment

• Recognizes the need for good public relations; represents the school in a favorable and professional manner to its constituency and the general public

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities

Education and/or Experience:

This position has no education requirements. Strong oral, reading and writing abilities in English. Experience with children is preferred.

Credentials, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

This position has no requirements for certifications

Qualifications:

• Profess a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord

• Maintain a positive Christian testimony

• Involved in a local church of like faith and practice, consistent with the RCS Statement of Faith

• Agree with and adhere to the employee handbook

• Bilingual in Spanish and English, with strong Spanish communication skills both oral and written

• Ability to meet people comfortably and engage in substantive conversation

• Must be able to work diligently and independently and make judgments with minimal supervision

• Ability to handle financial matters with integrity and with concern for confidentiality

• Ability to use technology

In addition, in order to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of additional knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Computer/Office Skills – Able to operate a variety of office and classroom equipment including copiers and computers, as well as an ability to use Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Language Skills – Able to speak, read, and write English fluently. Understands and is able to aid students with this subject area.

Mathematical Skills – Able to compute using appropriate concepts and skills. Understands and is able to aid students with this subject area.

Reasoning Ability – Able to reason and to teach students to reason.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Design - Generates creative solutions; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.

Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Problem Solving - Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments; Ability to maintain confidentiality and use independent judgment; Ability to manage and impart confidential information as necessary.

Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands in order to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Receipt and Acknowledgment:

I acknowledge and understand that:

• Receipt of the job description does not imply nor create a promise of employment, nor an employment contract of any kind, and that my employment is at-will.

• The job description provides a general summary of the position in which I am employed, that the contents of this job description are job requirements and, at this time, I know of no limitations which would prevent me from performing these functions with or without accommodation. I further understand that it is my responsibility to inform my supervisor at any time that I am unable to perform these functions.

• Job duties, tasks, work hours, and work requirements may be changed at any time.

• Acceptable job performance includes completion of the job responsibilities as well as compliance with the policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

I have read and I understand this job description.