Job Description
Title: PARA 4-Early Learning Preschool Assistant
DBM Classification: B21/Class 6
Department: Community Education
Salary Range: $18.54 - $26.28 per hour
Employee Group: EM SPARK
Prepared Date: April 2025
Reports to: Early Learning Program Supervisor
FTE/FLSA Status: .4 FTE-10-Months-Non-Exempt
3.25 hours per day (M-F) plus monthly meetings and community events
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES The Early Learning Preschool Assistant supports the classroom teacher in providing a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment for young children. This role focuses on fostering social, emotional, and academic growth through hands-on activities, play-based learning, and individualized support. The Preschool Assistant works closely with children to help them develop foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and social interactions while promoting a positive, inclusive classroom culture. This position plays a key role in ensuring the well-being and success of all students during their early childhood education experience.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Assist the classroom teacher in implementing daily lesson plans and activities that promote early childhood development.
- Support children in developing foundational skills in areas such as literacy, math, motor skills, and social-emotional learning through play and structured activities.
- Provide individualized attention and small-group support to children as needed, reinforcing lessons and promoting positive behavior.
- Help children with daily routines, including arrival, transitions between activities, meals, and restroom needs.
- Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment by encouraging positive social interactions and teaching appropriate classroom behavior.
- Supervise children during non-instructional times, such as playtime, outdoor activities, and field trips, ensuring safety and well-being.
- Prepare materials and assist in setting up learning centers, activities, and the classroom environment.
- Communicate effectively with students, teachers, and parents to share student progress and any concerns.
- Support children with emotional development, encouraging them to express their feelings and develop self-regulation skills.
- Promote healthy habits, including hygiene practices and physical activity, to support children's overall development.
- Assist in the observation and documentation of children's progress and developmental milestones.
- Collaborate with the teacher to meet the diverse needs of all students, adapting activities and providing additional support when necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned to contribute to the smooth operation of the preschool classroom.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES - Reads, comprehends, and interprets simple directions and written information
- Able to articulate expectations to students.
- Interprets and delivers directions to students given by the teacher
- Applies common sense reasoning in carrying out detailed but simple written or oral instructions
- Manages problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations
- Develops effective working relationships with students, staff, and community members
- Demonstrates a caring and warm demeanor and an understanding of children's needs
- Exhibits good listening skills and a willingness to collaborate and cooperate with other staff in accomplishing the goals of the school program.
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
Hourly pay, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Outdoor, Flexible hours, Shift work,