Instructional Assistant

Position purpose

Under the supervision of the Site Director/Principal, the Instructional Assistants works in collaboration with Classroom Advisors and other Instructional Assistants to help provide a safe and connected learning environment where students thrive both academically and social emotionally in both classroom and playground settings. The foundation of the organization is the combination of Personalized Mastery Learning (PML), Social Leadership, and Healthy Living. ASL serves the richly diverse Altadena and Pasadena community, and is committed to reflecting and protecting this diversity in terms of race, class, ethnicity, abilities, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other aspects of identity.

Duties/Responsibilities/Functions/Tasks

• Support delivery of services and accommodations for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs);
• Support delivery of behavior or academic support plans for students with 504 Plan accommodations or who have a Student Study Team plan;
• Collaborate with Advisors to effectively manage classroom behavior and/or academic lesson plans;
• Work with individuals or small groups of GenEd students and/or students with IEPs to guide their learning;
• Participate in discussions about what's working and what's not working so that the team can problem solve;
• Work with other Instructional Assistants as a team to supervise students at recess and lunch times;
• Participate in trainings for SpecEd, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and other topics as scheduled

Qualifications

• The equivalent of graduation from high school (Verification will be required for high school graduation, college units, and degrees.)
• Pass a Department of Justice background check (Livescan)
• Pass a TB (tuberculosis) screening/testing

Special Position Requirements

• Must have a strong desire to work with children, especially those with special needs - including academic, behavioral and/or social emotional needs;
• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism;
• One year of paid or volunteer experience working with school-age children;
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form;
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Ability to remain calm under stressful conditions;
• Ability to take initiative and respond effectively to coaching;
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy

Preferences

• First Aid and CPR training desirable.

Work Requirements

• Able to bend at the waist, kneel, or crouch to assist students;
• Able to sit or stand for extended periods of time;
• Able to lift and carrying of weights up to 25 pounds;
• Ability to be outdoors for extended periods of time;
• Ability to walk up and down stairs/ramps