Instructional Assistant - PreK; SY

Instructional Assistant
- PreK (SY26-27)

Watertown Public Schools Early Steps Integrated Preschool
- Watertown, Massachusetts

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Job : 5781780

Final date to receive applications: Aug 01, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Posted: Jun 15, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 31, 2026

Position: Instructional Assistant

Department: Special Education

Reports to: Principal

Affiliation: WEA Unit D

Salary range: per the WEA Salary Scale

SUMMARY : Watertown Public Schools seeks an outstanding Instructional Assistant to support students in preschool in accessing their education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide needed supports to students during instructional periods as well as non-instructional activities under direction.
• Maintain student data as directed.
• Follow and implement behavior support plans.
• Provide overall support to the classroom teacher and student based on needs.
• Incorporate knowledge of student learning styles and child development.
• Assist students with personal care needs (feeding, toileting) as needed.
• Recognize when teaching strategies are not successful and seek guidance to adapt assistance.
• Provide verbal support, prompting, redirection, and modeling to help students access curriculum.
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The following are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualifications. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Flexibility with respect to age groups and assignments.
• Ability to follow through with directions.
• Experience working with elementary students with significant learning and social/emotional needs.
• Experience implementing Behavior Intervention Plans and understanding functions of behaviors.
• Must have experience with or ability to learn ABA methodology and techniques.
• Initiative to complete tasks and assist students with de‑scalation techniques and executive functioning skills.
• Collaborative teamwork skills.
• Experience or ability to use assistive technology and PECS functional communication systems.

EDUCATION/

EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities in a public school setting preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Instructional Assistants may be required to stand for extended periods, intervene with students in behavioral crisis, walk, run, shuffle, kneel, bend, grasp, lift, and assist students with toileting needs.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to visually perceive and discriminate colors, read printed matter possibly with aids, visually supervise students, and communicate effectively with staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Noise level ranges from quiet to loud. Activity level may be busy. Interaction with staff and meeting multiple demands is common.

Equal Opportunity Employer Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. We also prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Position Type: Full-Time

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

• Christine Gibelli, Principal
• Early Steps Integrated Preschool
• Phone:
• Email: christine.gibelli.ma.us