Primary Instructional Assistant
Cañon City, CO - USA
Job Summary
Start Date: As soon as agreed upon for 2026-2027 School Year
Position Type: Full-time from 7:40am to 2:40pm 164 days per year one year only
Location: McKinley Elementary School
Salary: Pay for this position is determined by the Instructional Support Salary Schedule based on years of experience and education $17.86-$18.93 per hour/minimum pay $50.00 a day extra if assigned as a certified substitute teacher.
Benefits Include: Health insurance dental insurance vision insurance life insurance PERA retirement paid time off as well as other optional benefit elections. Longevity and professional development incentives.
Purpose of the Job:
To provide instructional and classroom support under the direction of a lead teacher. This position is designed for individuals enrolled in an accredited teacher preparation program currently in their 2nd or 3rd year of coursework. Instructional Assistants gain hands-on experience while developing the skills needed for future certification and licensure. This position is a valuable step for aspiring educators who are preparing for a future teaching career. Instructional Assistants in this role benefit from daily engagement with students and educators while continuing their academic journey toward licensure.
Education: Must have a High School diploma or equivalency.
Enrolled in an approved Colorado Department of Education educator preparation program (preferred to be in 2nd or 3rd year of coursework)
Required Praxis Exams completed for licensure preferred
Experience: Experience working with children preferred and Strong communication and social skills
Licenses/Certificates: Valid Colorado Substitute Authorization (required)
Other Criteria:
- Criminal background check required for hire
- Ability to work cooperatively in a school atmosphere with staff members students and the public.
- Ability to effectively read write speak and listen to comply with directions and instructions to complete tasks and establish priorities.
- Integrity trust and work ethic to work with little supervision.
- Competent understanding of technology to perform the job.
- Must pass pre-employment physical
- Ability to perform light lifting and moving of product (up to 50lbs)
- Physical strength and coordination to meet the educational physical and emotional needs of students assigned.
- Implements appropriate physical and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality integrity and availability of district data
- Maintain good security practices with passwords and accounts for the various district systems and applications.
- Reports actual or suspected breaches in the confidentiality integrity or availability of district data to appropriate district personnel.
- Follows all board policies for acceptable use of district technology.
- Model the Districts Mission and Belief Statements.
Essential Duties of the Job: (To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.)
- Support classroom instruction under the guidance of a certified teacher
- Work with individual students small groups or entire classes to reinforce learning
- Assist in managing classroom routines and expectations
- Help implement lesson plans and learning activities
- Supervise students in various settings (classroom hallway lunch recess etc.)
- Support students academic behavioral and social-emotional needs
- Attend trainings and meetings as required
- Maintain student confidentiality and support a positive learning environment
- May be asked to assist with substitute coverage if qualified and licensed
- Other duties as assigned
Additional Duties for Preschool Paraprofessionals;
- Must attend all preschool-required training.
Skills Knowledge Equipment & Other:
- Operate instructional and office equipment
- Use of educational technology (e.g. Google Workspace tablets interactive displays)
- Understanding of classroom and behavior management strategies
Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A
Requirements for Essential Functions of the Job: (The physical demands work environment factors and mental functions that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger handle or feel. The employee frequently is required to stand walk talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit reach with hands and arms climb or balance stoop kneel crouch crawl feel or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds from floor to waist waist to overhead waist to floor and overhead to floor. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job the employee must be able to work in a school setting. Travel from site to site may occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment ranges from generally quiet to increased when working events or with equipment occasionally. Classroom and 1:1 settings and possible outside supervisory duties in inclement weather. Must be able to work in person.
Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to analyze and compute. Frequently required to compare communicate coordinate instruct evaluate use interpersonal skills and compile. Occasionally required to copy synthesize and negotiate.
This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities skills efforts or working conditions associated with this job. It is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements essential for making compensation decisions. This job description is subject to change in accordance with the needs of the District.
TO APPLY:
A district application must be completed online at: Timeline for Hiring: Open until filled
Screening of Applications: Tuesday October 27 2026
Applications must be complete and submitted to be considered
Inquiries may be made to Jamie Davis Director of Human Resources 101 North 14th Street Cañon City CO 81212 .
Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity
In compliance with Titles VI; VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 the Americans with Disabilities Act the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 and Colorado law School District Fremont RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race color sex religion national origin ancestry creed age marital status sexual orientation gender expression gender identity pregnancy genetic information disability or need for special education services in admissions access to treatment or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates.
School District Fremont RE-1 has established complaint procedures for students parents employees and members of the public. Complaints may be filed verbally in writing or anonymously. If you wish to file a complaint using the district complaint form please submit it to: Ms. Jamie Davis Director of Human Resources Title IX Section 504 and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator 101 North 14th Street Cañon City Colorado 81212 Telephone: Email:.
Required Experience:
Junior IC