Instructional Assistants

Position Definition:  The person filling this position will have the responsibility of assisting the classroom teacher in instructing and supervising students.
 
Relationship:  The Instructional Assistant shall be responsible to the Supervisor of Special Programs and Services.
 
Qualifications:
 Education/Experience:  

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Associate Degree or Highly Qualified Status, preferred.

 Skills/Knowledge:  

• Demonstrates the ability to work in a team environment.

• Demonstrates the ability to maintain complete confidentiality.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated by patience, understanding, and congeniality to effectively work with exceptional learning needs students and staff.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively instruct and work with students.
• Demonstrates the ability to understand basic educational terminology regarding students, programs, roles, and instructional activities.
• Demonstrates the ability to complete tasks with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Attends work regularly at assigned work hours subject to lawful leave rights and responsibilities.

 Physical:

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, lift, reach, and communicate (vision, hearing, and speech) to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities. 
• Ability to independently ambulate in and around work areas.
• Ability to travel to and from assigned work locations without employer support.
• Ability to exhibit appropriate manual dexterity to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to conduct a safety restraint protocol which requires:

 
Authority:  The Instructional Assistant will have the authority to perform all functions listed below in accordance with established policies and procedures.
 
Functions/Duties/Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function/duty/responsibility at acceptable standards. In accordance with both state and/or federal law, reasonable accommodations will be considered upon employee request.
 
Essential:

• Assists in teaching responsibilities, working with students individually and in small groups on academic/developmentally-appropriate activities, social interactions, communication, practical life skills, and behavior management. 
• Monitors students and continues classroom activities if teacher is interrupted and/or involved in other program activities. 
• Assists in preparing instructional and classroom materials.
• Collects data for Medical Assistance logs and IEP progress reporting.
• Performs appropriate lifting, positioning, and transferring techniques in accommodating students’ needs.
• Monitors/assists students with all personal hygiene/toileting/diapering/ changing of clothes/feeding activities. 
• Utilizes classroom materials for student activities.
• Keeps daily attendance records and does clerical work related to classroom programs. 

• Uses strategies, as directed, to increase student independence.
• Prepares, distributes, and collects notes to parents. 
• Operates computer, assistive technology devices, and other technology and equipment. 
• Assists in keeping inventory and ordering materials from warehousing.
• Answers telephone.
• Escorts students to nurse, therapies, general education classes, and activities when necessary. 
• Supervises and assists with self-help skills, such as feeding or drinking during snack and/or lunch times.
• Assists in making contacts for community-based activities. 
• Assists with special projects and programs. 
• Monitors outdoor and physical activities and assists bus/van loading and unloading. 
• Uses strategies, equipment, materials, and technologies to accomplish instructional objectives.
• Uses strategies, as directed, for behavior management.
• Uses strategies, as directed, to increase the individual’s independence and confidence.
• Acts as a role model for individuals with exceptional learning needs.
• Exercises objective and prudent judgment.
• Assists related services staff with the implementation of therapies as needed.
• Assists in the implementation of emergency evacuation drills and procedures.
• Participates in professional development trainings provided to staff and maintains 20/15 hours of professional development per year.

Secondary:

• This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform other duties as assigned.