Lower School Instructional Assistant

The role of a lower school instructional assistant varies based on the particular grade-level assignment. This specific role will serve in the Pre-K classrooms. In general, instructional assistants work extremely closely with their lead teacher partner to create an engaging, loving, organized, safe, creative, and exceptional classroom for students. Instructional assistants are integral members of our grade-level teams, they work directly with students daily, and the overall lower school community in general.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Support the students, lead teacher, and grade-level team in all aspects of the school day.
• Prepare materials and lessons as instructed by the lead teacher within the time frame expected.
• Orton-Gillingham training preferred but not required.
• Study the curriculum to assist students with questions and follow-up, grading and/or small group/tutorial instruction, as well as offer suggestions for improvements where needed.
• Create a welcoming and engaging classroom and hallway atmosphere that are student-driven.
• Maintain a flexible, positive, growth mindset when working with students, parents and colleagues.
• Possess a willingness to learn new skills through professional development, school visits, and teacher observations.
• Take the initiative to learn and use school technology in appropriate ways.
• Serve as the lead teacher when the lead teacher is absent.

Other Duties

• Maintains professional competence by attending staff development programs, curriculum development meetings, all-school meetings, and other professional activities as requested.
• Participates in various student and parent activities which occur in the school including parent meetings, student clubs, and after-school activities.
• Represent Carolina Day School both, on and off campus, in a positive and professional manner.
• Creates an effective learning environment through functional and attractive displays and activity/learning centers.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Principal, Assistant Principal, or another appropriate administrator.
• Coaching at least one season of a sport working closely with the CDS Athletic Department is an option for the right candidate

Job Specifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, in education or a related field.
• Experience working in a school setting is preferred.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.

Americans with Disability Specifications:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.