Instructional Assistant Special Education - Self-Contained - Longfellow Elementary School

Instructional Assistant Special Education I - Self-Contained - Longfellow Elementary School

Longfellow Elementary, Mesa, Arizona

Job : 5739081

Final date to receive applications: Jun 22, 2026 11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time)

Re-Posted: May 27, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Employment Type: Full-time (32.5 hours per week)

Base Hourly: $17.57

Class/Calendar: A11b, 9.25 months

Benefits: Sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay: Available annually

New Hire

Experience:

1% of base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to ten‑year maximum

New Hire

Education:

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Assist, under direct supervision of certified teachers and specialists, in monitoring and instruction of special education students implementing the Individual Education Plans; assist students in performing their academic, daily living and health care activities; relieve teachers of routine clerical tasks.

• Deliver, under teacher’s direction, classroom work/homework and/or reinforce classroom objectives, tutoring and guided practice
• Assist in the development of instructional materials and maintenance of classroom
• Assist in the collection of data on academic and behavior goals as instructed
• Implement positive behavior intervention plans for students who display challenging behaviors including verbal and physical aggression
• Respond to problem behaviors according to the student’s positive behavior intervention plan and district crisis intervention policy
• Assist students with personal care needs due to a severe medical condition and/or physical limitations (e.g., toileting, feeding, dressing, suctioning, etc.) to ensure their functioning in a school environment
• Accompany students as they transition across campus
• Monitor individual and/or small student groups in classroom and/or on the playground to maintain a safe and positive learning environment; facilitate social peer interactions
• Maintain classroom and student equipment to ensure a safe environment
• Model professional, safe, responsible and respectful behavior
• Perform general clerical tasks to support the teacher in the maintenance of student files and to provide classroom materials
• Participate in various meetings to share information and/or improve one’s skills and/or knowledge
• Regular and on‑time attendance required
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

• Associate’s Degree or 60 college credit hours required at time of hire OR pass the Para Pro Test provided by the district free of charge
• Experience working with children

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Ability and willingness to work with special education students who may require specialized instruction to meet academic, social, and behavior goals
• Ability to work well with students, staff and parents; good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well in stressful situations
• Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Ability to organize and prioritize and to follow classroom guidelines as put forth by classroom teacher

• Works closely with special education teachers, general education staff, therapists, and administrators
• May be resource rooms, inclusion settings, or self-contained classrooms
• Supports students with disabilities, which may include intellectual, developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities
• Each day can vary based on student needs, schedules, behavior, and support plans
• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, and kneel frequently throughout the day
• May need to lift or assist students who have physical…