2026-2027 Headstart Instructional Assistant

Job Title: Headstart Instructional Assistant
Salary Range: $21,876-$38,854
Supervisor: Principal
Job Classification: Non-Exempt
Contract Length: 10 months (186 days)

Job Summary
The Headstart Instructional Assistant will assist the teacher in providing individual and small-group instruction. The Instructional Assistant will also perform responsible Para-professional, clerical and human support work assisting in student management and instructional tasks.

Essential Job Functions
Gathers and organizes instructional materials for students;
Utilizes best practice instructional strategies and research-based intervention curriculum materials to meet the learning needs of identified students;
Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of Standards of Learning (SOL) for reading, math, and school division curricular requirements;
In collaboration with the classroom teacher, selects appropriate instructional materials to meet student needs;
Works with the classroom teacher to analyze existing student achievement data and administers student assessments and monitoring instruments as needed to aid in progress monitoring of Title I students;
Keeps all student information confidential;
Maintains accurate student records and student progress data reports as required by Title I law and district policy;
Attends professional development opportunities;
Works in a collegial and collaborative manner with school personnel;
Promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect and courtesy and models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions with co-workers, customers and clients;
Follows district guidelines and policies.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Specifications (Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required)
Must have some knowledge of the instructional goals and the policies of public schools.
Considerable patience and the ability to work effectively with children and faculty members are essential.
Must be able to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks. 
 

Minimum Qualifications  
Education: Associate degree or completion of 60 hours of college credit from an accredited college or university recognized by the Virginia Department of Education or demonstrated knowledge of and the ability to assist in reading, writing and mathematics instruction by achieving a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment. 
Experience: Minimum of one year working experience as teacher aide preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and reach overhead. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.