Instructional Assistant - CES/CMS

About PLN Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports, and advocacy. Addressing individual and systemic barriers, PLN creates pathways to success.

In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites, and family services, PLN is the only childrens mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. PLNs community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.

Position Overview Under the supervision of the assigned teacher and school-site supervising administrator, the Instructional Assistant functions as a support to the teacher in the delivery of small and large group instruction, as well as to support Tiered Interventions 1 & 2 and supervision of students as assigned. Instructional Assistants work to support the academic progress of students in partnership with teachers and other school staff while developing their own teaching ability.

Duties Instructional Assistants perform a full range of duties, including but not limited to the following:

Curriculum and Instructional Support

• Support the Strategic Plan through the implementation phases.
• Support the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for academics through small group instruction in the areas of reading, math, and/or writing under the supervision of the classroom teacher assigned.
• Use data to monitor academic progress of students.
• Prepare and implement academic activities.
• Work cooperatively with teaching staff to review student progress and co-plan weekly academic activities.
• Work with classroom teachers to develop and document student progress toward clearly identifiable academic and learning goals, language goals.
• Assist teacher with reviewing student work to inform instruction and enhance student achievement.
• Support the teacher with the implementation of innovative content-focused teaching.
• Assist the teacher with developing lesson plans that are based on student needs, observing and reflecting on feedback of classroom instruction.
• Support the teacher with the integration of technology in all content areas.
• Assist in implementing modifications and adaptations of environments and curriculum per teacher recommendation.
• Assist with a variety of activities to enhance student learning: assist children in developing appropriate strategies for learning, provide emotional support, have a positive attitude, perform behavior reinforcement functions, and provide guidance.

Classroom Climate and Culture

• Assist the teacher on creating an environment for learning.
• Work with teachers and school staff to build and support positive behavior expectations by reinforcing school-wide rules and expectations in classrooms and elsewhere on campus.
• Reinforce school-wide rules and expectations throughout the campus.
• Provide a nurturing environment which supports the individual development of each child.
• Assist teacher in maintaining an environment conducive for student learning and encouraging appropriate behavior by the students using a consistent team approach.
• Assist teacher on field trips by helping students with physical needs, maintaining discipline, and reinforcing learning situations.

Professional Growth

• Participate regularly in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support professional development opportunities.
• Participate regularly in English Language Development professional development opportunities.
• Participate regularly in professional development opportunities that pertain to specific grade and subject-specific collaborative meetings, faculty meetings, and both on- and off-site training.

Supervision and Other Duties

• Assist in record keeping as assigned.
• Participate in special activities and functions as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by teacher or administrator.

Education and Certification Requirements

• AA Degree or 60 semester units required.
• Preferred if units are in a major aligned to Education (e.g., Child Development, Child Psychology, Reading Specialist).
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Experience working with children for a minimum of three years.

Physical Requirements To perform this job, the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting while frequently required to walk, stand, and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with a solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a drivers license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as a military veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.