Designation: Instructional Assistant
Department: Early Years, Primary School
Location: Varied depending on assignment
Reports to: Principal/Vice-Principal
Works collaboratively with: Teachers, Students, Programme Coordinators, members of the student support team
Assigns task to / supervises: N/A
KEY ACCOUNTABILITY (Main purpose of this job):
An Instructional Assistant is part of a team of educators working together to provide the best learning environment for students and in doing so will:
- Keep open lines of communication with teachers, administrators, support staff and fellow instructional assistants
- Respect confidentiality and privacy of information related to students and the workplace. Instructional assistants are not permitted to discuss a child’s academic/social development with parents directly. Any direct communication with parents must be carried out by the teacher.
- Be flexible and willing to perform duties outside the specific scope of your job description.
- Participate in school activities such as staff meetings, social functions and other school activities.
- Attend professional learning and training sessions.
- Maintain levels of professional conduct and dress appropriate for a representative of the CIS community.
RESPONSIBILITIES (Key areas of responsibility):
Curriculum Support
The instructional assistant will provide curriculum support evidenced by:
- A familiarity with CIS curriculum as it pertains to the Instructional Assistant’s assignment.
- Ability to assist students with the completion of assigned tasks and classwork.
- The ability to adapt and differentiate materials in collaboration with the teacher.
- Under the guidance and direction of the classroom teacher provide instructional support to individuals and small groups of students.
- Assist in implementing instructional plans and provide support and supervision while the teacher is engaged with others.
- Assist in monitoring student progress towards set learning goals and provide feedback, guidance and reinforce taught concepts where necessary
- Help students compile portfolios in either digital or other formats
Social and behavioral support
The instructional assistant will provide social behavioral support evidenced by fostering a respectful, positive, safe, student-centered environment that is conducive to learning.
- Assist and guide students by demonstrating appropriate support, patience, kindness and caring
- Develop students’ self-esteem and positive self-concept.
- Assisting with safe transitions and supervision of students
- Supervise, observe and encourage positive student behavior in a developmentally appropriate way, and in keeping with the values of our school
- Render basic first aid as and when necessary
- Assist students with matters of personal hygiene
- Meet school buses and participate in supervision as required
- Supervise students during field trips and at school assemblies
- Assist with duties as required
- Dialogue with the teacher regarding student academic progress and behaviour
- Confer with the teacher when necessary regarding student needs
- Alert the teacher to any specific student concerns as they arise.
Administrative Support
The instructional assistant may not spend any more than to 20% of their time involved in administrative work which may include
- Assessment documentation management
- Assist with the preparation and distribution of learning materials
- Help keep track of classroom supplies that need to be ordered
- Keep the learning spaces neat and orderly
- Assisting with displays of student work
- Assisting with classroom routines such as the collection of money or permission slips and keep accurate records of those transactions
REQUIREMENTS & EXPERIENCE:
- Post secondary education and or certification in an education-related field
- Prior experience working in an educational setting preferred
- Strong organisational skills
- Lifelong learner willing to learn and utilise basic teaching methods, techniques, and procedures used in the classroom.
COMPETENCIES:
- Culturally competent and able to work with culturally diverse staff and students in a bilingual and multilingual setting.
- An effective communicator
- Motivated, and energetic
- Results oriented and has a strong sense of accountability for student success
