Job Description
Title: PARA 4-Instructional Assistant
DBM Classification: B21/Class 4
Department: Elementary
Salary Range: $18.54 - $26.28
Employee Group: EM Spark
Prepared Date: September 2025
Reports to: School Principal
FTE/FLSA Status: .75 FTE (6 hours per day) 10-Months-Non-Exempt
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES The Reading Instructional Assistant supports the classroom teacher in providing individualized and small-group reading instruction to students. This role focuses on helping students develop foundational reading skills, including phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. The assistant works closely with students to reinforce lessons, monitor progress, and provide additional support to struggling readers. The Reading Instructional Assistant fosters a positive learning environment that encourages student growth, engagement, and a love of reading while helping to ensure each student's success in meeting literacy goals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Support the classroom teacher in delivering targeted reading instruction to individual students or small groups.
- Reinforce and practice reading skills such as phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension through structured activities.
- Provide additional support to struggling readers, using intervention strategies to improve literacy skills.
- Monitor and assess students' reading progress, providing feedback to the teacher on student performance and areas of improvement.
- Assist in preparing reading materials, resources, and activities to support literacy development.
- Help students apply reading strategies to improve understanding and retention of content.
- Create a positive and supportive learning environment that encourages student participation and engagement in reading activities.
- Support students in setting personal reading goals and tracking their progress.
- Assist in organizing and maintaining reading materials, resources, and classroom organization.
- Provide one-on-one or small-group support during independent or guided reading time.
- Work with students to develop their reading comprehension skills, helping them answer questions, make predictions, and summarize texts.
- Assist with monitoring student behavior during reading activities to ensure focus and engagement.
- Collaborate with the teacher to adapt reading instruction and materials for diverse learning needs.
- Attend meetings, professional development sessions, and trainings to stay updated on effective reading instruction strategies.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support student literacy development.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES - Fundamental reading skills, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension strategies.
- Effective reading instruction methods and interventions for students at various literacy levels.
- Common literacy assessment tools and progress-monitoring techniques to track student growth.
- Age-appropriate literature and resources to support diverse learners.
- Classroom management techniques to foster a productive and positive learning environment.
- Differentiated instruction and strategies for supporting students with varying learning needs, including those with reading difficulties.
- Providing targeted instruction in reading, including phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
- Implementing reading interventions and adapting instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Assessing and tracking students' reading progress, identifying areas for improvement.
- Preparing and organizing instructional materials and resources for reading lessons.
- Communicating effectively with students, teachers, and parents regarding student progress and reading development.
- Encouraging a love of reading and fostering motivation in students to improve their literacy skills.
- Using technology tools and literacy software to support reading instruction.
- Work collaboratively with teachers to support students' literacy development.
- Adapt instruction based on the needs of individual students, using various strategies to support diverse learning styles.
- Create a positive, supportive, and engaging environment that motivates students to improve their reading skills.
- Manage small groups or one-on-one sessions effectively, ensuring that students remain focused and engaged.
- Remain patient and flexible while working with struggling readers, providing encouragement and reinforcement.
- Maintain organized records of student progress and communicate effectively about student achievements and challenges.
- Stay current with best practices in reading instruction and participate in ongoing professional development.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Mobility: Frequent walking, standing, bending, crouching, and kneeling to assist students and support classroom activities.
- Lifting: Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, including assisting students with mobility needs if required.
- Repetitive Motion: Regular use of hands and fingers for writing, typing, and handling instructional materials.
- Visual and Auditory Requirements: Ability to see and hear within normal ranges to monitor student behavior, support instruction, and ensure safety.
- Physical Assistance: This may involve supporting students with physical disabilities, including transferring, positioning, or assisting with mobility devices.
- Endurance: Capability to actively engage with students throughout the school day, including indoor and outdoor supervision (e.g., recess, field trips).
- Speech and Communication: Clear verbal communication to interact effectively with students, staff, and families.
WORK ENVIRONMENT - School Setting: Primarily works in classrooms but may also assist in specialized learning spaces, libraries, cafeterias, playgrounds, hallways, and other school areas.
- Student Interaction: Regular, direct interaction with students, including those with diverse learning needs and varying behavioral, emotional, or physical abilities.
- Team Collaboration: Works closely with licensed instructional staff, special education teams, and other support personnel to assist students.
- Dynamic Environment: Fast-paced and varied, requiring flexibility to shift between instructional support, behavioral management, and supervision tasks.
- Supervision Duties: Responsible for student supervision in classrooms and during non-instructional times (e.g., lunch, recess, bus loading/unloading, and field trips).
- Exposure to Elements: May work outdoors during recess, field trips, or other activities, subject to varying weather conditions.
- Health & Safety Considerations: Potential exposure to bodily fluids or illnesses while assisting students with health or hygiene needs, following proper safety protocols.
- Noise Level: Moderate to high, depending on student activities and settings.
- Physical Demands: The work involves standing, walking, bending, lifting, and moving throughout the day to support students and instructional activities.
- Inclusive Environment: Expected to promote and support a culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for all students.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE - Experience working with children in an educational, childcare, or related setting.
- Associate's degree or completion of at least two years of post-secondary education (equivalent to 60 college credits).
- Experience supporting students.
- Preferred: Training in behavior management techniques and culturally responsive practices.
- Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development and training.
BENEFIT INFORMATION St. Louis Park Schools provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 20 or more hours per week. Key benefits include:
- Health and Dental Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care expenses
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
The cost of benefits varies based on the employee group and full-time equivalent (FTE) status. For detailed information, including specific benefits and associated costs, please refer to the applicable group or bargaining unit contract Employment Contracts .
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Flexible hours, Shift work,