Instructional Assistant (General)

Summary **Salary: Range 060

Refer to salary schedule** Under the direction of the principal, assistant principal or designee, assists one or more teachers in the direct care and supervision of secondary education students typically in a classroom. Maintains and prepares classroom materials and student files. Provides instructional and project assistance to individuals or small groups of students to facilitate and assist them in grasping subject matter.

The Instructional Assistant provides instructional assistance to general and remedial education classrooms where activities focus on supplementing curriculum and can be carried out by an incumbent who meets District requirements, namely, the passing of a rigorous competency exam. The Instructional Assistant provides general classroom support for students, and/or teachers having mobility limitations and provides reinforcement of class materials that enhance student success.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists teaching staff to implement lesson plans by providing positive learning experiences for students in secondary grade levels.
• Assists one or more teachers/specialists in maintaining classroom discipline by observing the activities of the students and maintaining order. These activities may be in or out of the classroom setting.
• Accompanies students going from one location to another. Observes, monitors, and controls behavior of students within approved procedures.
• Gives each student individual and special attention each day. Responds to each student’s particular needs and characteristics. Ensures that all students receive equal attention.
• Reports to the teaching staff any signs of illness or distress observed in the student. Aids in dealing with the situation, as appropriate.
• Sets up and arranges supplies and equipment in the classroom as directed.
• Performs clerical duties such as, but not limited to, teaching aids, labels, charts, bulletin boards, and displays.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Knowledge and Skills

• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of age appropriate student development and guidance applicable for an educational setting.
• Working knowledge of the basic subjects taught in the District schools, including math, grammar, spelling, language and reading, with sufficient competency to assist students with individual or group studies.
• Basic knowledge of teaching and instruction methods.
• Basic clerical and record keeping processes.
• Sufficient human relation skills to work productively and cooperatively with teachers, students, and parents in formal and informal settings, to exercise patience when conveying information, and demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of students.
• May require basic knowledge of personal computers and other equipment to support learning, record information, and send communications.

Abilities

• Assist teaching staff with implementation of instructional goals and activities.
• Assist teaching staff with assessing the needs of individual students and assist in developing programs to meet those needs.
• Interact with teachers and specialists in order to carry out assigned duties.
• Oversee students and perform general clerical tasks.
• Make informal presentations to individual and small groups of students and assist with demonstrations of assigned subject matter to classroom sized groups.
• Relate positively to students in a teaching/learning environment in a way that builds confidence and recognizes socioeconomic and cultural differences among student.
• Balance emotional support and discipline and deal with common behavior problems.

Physical Abilities

• Perform indoors in an office and/or classroom/laboratory environment engaged in work of primarily a sedentary to a moderately active nature.
• Near visual acuity to read and write printed materials and computer screens.
• Hearing and speech ability for ordinary and telephonic conversation, to speak to groups, and to hear sound prompts from equipment.
• Ambulatory ability to move about office, classroom/laboratory, and school grounds, to tutor, assist with presentations, and reach work materials.
• Sufficient manual and finger dexterity to demonstrate teaching aids, to point out important words/figures to students, and to operate personal computers.
• Lift, carry, push, and move supplies, furniture,…