Instructional Assistant: Special/General Education (Anticipated Openings) 2016/17 - Worcester Public Schools - Worcester, MA

POSITION: INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT – SPECIAL EDUCATION

REPORTS TO: BUILDING PRINCIPAL

ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE:
This position is accountable for providing assistance to the classroom teacher and/or other certified personnel in the delivery of quality education, recreation, classroom organization and maintenance, record keeping and school-community relations by means of maturity, sound reasoning and conferences with the assigned teacher and/or other certified personnel consistent with rules and regulations of the Worcester Public Schools.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. Responsible for assisting the classroom teacher by reviewing, correcting and reinforcing lessons with individual and small groups of students, reading stories aloud, assisting in math concepts, reinforcing recognition of the letters of the alphabet and other activities associated with the curriculum.

2. Responsible for assisting in preparation and inventory of instructional materials and the setting-up operating and maintenance of various learning aids, and equipment.

3. Responsible for assisting in the wash-up and lavatory routines, assisting in the supervision of breakfast and/or lunch periods and assemblies, collection of money and cleaning up of work areas.

4. Responsible for assisting the classroom teacher in clerical work which may include, but not limited to, recording daily attendance, dental history cards, cataloging and filing instructional materials.

5. Responsible for participating and contributing to weekly, monthly and long-range planning with the classroom teacher for instructional activities such as observing special days and events, field trips and visits and school wide activities such as health testing, etc.

6. Responsible for contributing to enrichment activities by sharing special talents and abilities which may include the areas the areas of art, music, dance, needlework, cooking, etc., consistent with policies of the school district.

7. Responsible for assisting the classroom teacher during the work day in fostering greater understanding within the school-community by means of open communications with school personnel, students, parents and other interested community residents.

8. Responsible for assisting the classroom teacher in the supervision of children at work or play to provide the teacher an opportunity to work with small groups or individuals.

9. Responsible for contributing to a warm and open atmosphere so that all students will have the opportunity to grow and develop to their fullest potential.

10. Responsible for serving as the chief source of information and assisting any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.

11. Responsible for assuring equal educational opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, marital status, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability.

12. Responsible for performing duty work (lunch, recess, line, bus) when required to do so by Building Principal. It is understood that duty assignments will be distributed on an equitable basis.

13. Responsible for performing duties associated within specialty areas of assignment. This may include those instructional assistants who are assigned to special projects, including grant programs, that required specialized training and duties.

14. Responsible for performance of other job-related duties as assigned, excluding those legally delegated to certified personnel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. An Associate of Arts degree, or

2. 48 undergraduate college credits, or

4. Meeting or exceeding the State-determined score on the Para Professional Assessment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Demonstrated experience supporting students with special needs

2. Ability to speak Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Albanian, or Twi.

3. Demonstrated experience with second language acquisition

TO APPLY: Any person interested in this position should apply on-line at www.worcesterschools.org. All information including a resume, cover letter must be submitted.