Instructional Assistants Vital to Student Success

Instructional assistants, formerly called paraeducators, play an essential role in supporting special education students in the classroom and helping to ensure that all students have an opportunity to succeed. So, why the name change?

To better understand the significance of this small but mighty change, take a look at just how these support professionals impact student success.

Instructional assistants work one-on-one with students or in small groups to provide individual attention and support. They also help to prepare materials and aids for instruction and assist the classroom teacher during lessons. Our instructional assistants play an important role in communicating with families and other school community members to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the support of student success.

Same great professionals, even better title!

Because these support professionals do so much to assist with the instruction of students, PVSchools signified their contribution by updating the position title. The change is also expected to have another significant impact; recruitment. 

This comes after finding that many potential applicants may be passing up the position due to a misunderstanding of what the role entails. And, in today's competitive job market, PVSchools, like many school districts across Arizona, is already challenged to find qualified applicants. Better communicating the position’s role through a title change is just one of the many ways the district is looking to recruit more talent.

To ensure PVSchools has qualified staff and to remove any barriers in the hiring process, the PVSchools Human Resources Department established a centralized recruitment process for special education support staff positions. Now, all qualified instructional assistant applicants are hired through one process! This means, that more qualified candidates have a better opportunity to join PVSchools more quickly.

Instructional Assistant Qualifications

If you're interested in becoming an instructional assistant and have a high school diploma or equivalent, apply today! A background check and a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card are required.

PVSchools provides CPR and First Aid on-the-job training.

Instructional assistant positions with higher pay are available for those who are highly qualified. This includes having a high school diploma or equivalent and one of the following:

• 60 postsecondary hours of college coursework; or
• AA degree; or
• Passing of ParaPro Assessment.

Find this position on the district careers website listed under the new Instructional Assistant - Special Education title.

PVSchools is Hiring!

If you or someone you know is interested in working in paradise, visit the careers website at jobs.pvschools.net.