Instructional Assistant (Grades 7-12)

DESCRIPTION:
The Secondary-Level Instructional Assistant is a crucial member of the educational team, dedicated to enhancing student learning and supporting instructional activities within the classroom. This role focuses on providing academic assistance to students through direct instruction, modification of learning materials, and scaffolding of educational content. The instructional assistant works collaboratively with teachers to ensure that all students, particularly those with diverse learning needs, achieve academic success.

GENERAL DUTIES:
Duties as an Instructional Assistant will vary depending on the particular assignment. It is possible to be working with one student, a group of students, or a large group in the general education or substantially separate setting.

Duties may include:
Providing coverage for Classroom/Sped teachers for meetings
Preparing materials for teachers in the Special Education department
Setting up assistive technology for student use
Participating in regular training/consultation with classroom teacher
Ability to interact with all students that may have mental or physical challenges in a caring and compassionate manner
Reinforcing previously taught concepts in a small group setting
Communicating with liaison regarding progress of students
Administering daily content area tests/quizzes as well as standardized tests
Documenting student progress both academically and behaviorally
Reinforcing instruction of general education under the direction of a Special Education Teacher
Accompanying students to General Education classroom and providing modifications to instruction
Ensuring the safety of students as they use adaptive equipment
Constant monitoring and alert nurse of medical needs
Assisting with self-help skills, including but not limited to clothing, feeding, toileting
Supporting students at job sites and/or during a variety of community trips
Participating in student progress meetings when requested, and provide input for progress reports and objectives; inform appropriate staff of program changes and updates
Completing parent communication logs and district documents as required
Participating in required professional development, such as restraint training, CPR/First Aid certification, Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and staff meetings and extended day sessions
Demonstrating flexibility when daily schedules change
Implementing instructional and behavioral programs as designed by Special Education Teacher and/or related service providers
Recordings appropriate data in pull-out and inclusion settings
Being aware of and adhering to confidentiality protocol
Serving as a bus and/or cafeteria monitor
Supporting students during extracurricular activities, including but not limited to marching band, Special Olympics, athletics, drama club, etc.
Completing other duties that are designated by the Lead Teacher and/or Behavior Specialist, Building Principal or Director of Pupil Services

Duties specific to Bus Monitor (AM and PM runs):
Monitor student passengers for appropriate social distancing and face-covering/mask-wearing
Assist the bus driver in maintaining discipline on the school bus
Assist students entering and leaving the vehicle by providing hands-on fastening of passenger seat belts to provide student safety, as needed
Ability to interact with all students that may have mental or physical challenges in a caring and compassionate manner
Ability to handle any unexpected effects of traffic, weather, student activity, noise or emergency situations
Communicate with school personnel concerning student needs, medical history, and behavior as appropriate
Assist driver in the event an evacuation of the vehicle, providing first aid or other applicable procedures in case of an emergency
Assist students to unfasten seatbelts upon departure of the vehicle, as needed

Duties specific to Cafeteria Monitor: Ensure the safety of student(s)
Monitor students for appropriate social distancing and face-covering/mask-wearing
Circulate throughout the cafeteria or in areas where meals are served and/or eaten assisting students who need assistance
Monitor students and their behavior during meals in the lunchroom and refer problems to the principal
Dismiss classes in an orderly manner at the scheduled time

Duties specific to Supporting students during extracurricular activities:
Ensure the safety of student(s)
Redirect students' attention to the task or activity
Encourage and praise student participation
Accompany student to offsite-related events (including but not limited to track meets, band performances, etc.)
Supervise student until s/he departs on school bus or until parent/guardian picks up