Lead Instructional Assistant-Early Childhood

Purpose The job of Lead Instructional Assistant-Early Childhood-State Preschool is done to provide support to the instructional program within assigned classroom with specific responsibility for working with individual and/or small groups of students; to provide support to teacher/s and staff; and to take on the role of teacher in his/her absence. This job reports to the Assigned Administrator/Supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom activities assignments and/or materials; also, plans curriculum on lesson plans under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives and meeting program regulations.
• Assists with the development and implementation of instructional programs and lesson plans (e.g. under the supervision of assigned teacher, etc.) for the purpose of presenting and or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Assists students, individually or in small groups, with classroom activities (e.g. language, literacy, numerics, etc.) for the purpose of introducing, practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching individual developmental goals academic goals.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Completes anecdotal observations for the purpose of assisting in the collection of assessment support.
• Conducts on-going assessments of children for the purpose of assisting teacher with the completion of regional assessments.
• Implements, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instructional programs and lesson plans for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Maintains classroom equipment and work area for the purpose of providing a safe learning environment; and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Provides immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g. diapering, hygiene, medication, etc.) for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs.
• Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, inappropriate social behavior, safety conditions, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.
• Responds to emergency situations (e.g. injured student, behavioral incidents, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Supervise and zone children in all activities through out the day for the purpose of ensuring the safety of all children.
• Supports classroom teachers and other school personnel for the purpose of assisting them in the preparation and implementation of curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Visually supervises individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, library, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and adhering to safety practices and procedures.   KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles; age appropriate activities; job-related codes/laws/rules/regulations/policies; and practicing cultural competency while working collaboratively with diverse groups and individuals.   ABILITY is required to schedule activities; collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with constant interruptions; adapting to changing work priorities.

Responsibility Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. There is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.

Working Environment The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling,  some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 60% walking, and 30% standing.  The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness. Experience      Job related experience is desired. Education        High school diploma or equivalent. Requires completion of 12 Early Childhood Education coursework units in the following core areas: Human or Child Development, Child, Family and Community, Introduction to Curriculum and any other 3 unit early childhood education (ECE) course. Equivalency   Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above. Must have a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit  or ability to obtain the permit within 30 days of date of hire. The stated education and experience requirements are the preferred minimum qualifications for this job.   However, relevant experience to substitute for the education requirement and relevant education, certificates and/or licenses to substitute for the experience requirement may be allowed.