Instructional Assistant Responsibilities

Instructional assistants will be responsible for the supervision of students during breakfast and lunch shifts, morning and afternoon bus duty (as assigned), teacher conference times, recess, and any other time deemed necessary by the principal. Assistants may be assigned to specific classrooms to assist teachers with instructional activities, or to work with students on an individual or small group basis.  

Assistants provide for supervision and safety.  Whenever possible, the use of positive reinforcement is encouraged.  The following general guidelines are to provide for consistency and support. 

1. Guidelines: For all duties, it is expected that the staff member will report to assignments promptly, show initiative, maintain professional conduct, and take ownership of responsibilities. 

   1. Morning and Afternoon Duties:

      1. Greet the students with a SMILE! 

      2. Teach and enforce student expectations

         1. Hallways- Voice level 0 

      3. Monitor the students 

      4. Assist students with dumping trays

      5. Assist cafeteria staff with wiping off of tables between groups of students

1. 2. Lunch Duty:

      1. Work with team to establish routines. This is a partnership where all team members have a voice. 

      2. Manage students in all areas of the cafeteria (lunch line, tables, lining up for recess, etc.).

      3. Teach and enforce cafeteria behavior expectations.

      4. Assist with dumping of trays, carrying trays to window, wiping off tables, etc. 

      5. Be proactive- proximity (move throughout students, do not sit and watch) .

      6. Third lunch duty staff members is there to support the team by assisting with dumping of trays, carrying of trays to window, wiping off tables, and assisting with behavior as needed. 

      7. Line students up at double doors leading outside when preparing for recess. 

   3. Recess:

      1. Ensure that students are on the playground at assigned time.

      2. Consequences: AVOID use of punishment for the WHOLE group. The entire recess period should be engagement in physical activity not sitting waiting until they are quiet! 

      3. Use loss of free time minimally. 

         1. Other ideas for consequences- restrict area where a student can play, restrict equipment they are allowed to interact with etc. 

      4. See Recess guidelines for other information. 

   4. Expectations in the classroom. 

      1. Have an active role with students. Be engaged. 

      2. Comply with teacher expectations. 

      3. Use positive reinforcement! It works! :-) 

      4. Use professional conduct (stay off of cell phones, do not bring your own reading material, model respectful conversations, etc.)