Elementary School Instructional Assistant

Provide Interpretation Support. A priority for this role will be to support the interpretation needs throughout the school. Selected candidates will be part of the School's list of eligible interpreters and will be expected to:

• Provide interpretation and/or translation services when needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of information shared in any interactions with SAS parents, students and/or educators in which you are invited in to provide interpretation or translation support.
• Be adaptable and willing to work with key stakeholders across the school (e.g. faculty members, support staff, school leaders, parents, students, safeguarding lead, etc).

When not performing interpretation duties, the employee will perform Instructional Assistant duties in the classroom as designated.

The Instructional Assistant is responsible for working within a learning community to support the learning, safety and emotional well-being of children at Singapore American School (SAS). The actions listed below each category are examples of what instructional assistants typically do, but do not represent an exhaustive list.

Support for Learning

• Assist teacher(s) in delivery of the curriculum and planned curriculum activities.
• Interact with and guide students during activities planned by a teacher (including during times of brief absence of the teacher).
• Assist teacher(s) monitoring student's learning progress using appropriate tools/softwares as instructed.
• Assist teacher(s) in preparing teaching materials to enhance the learning experience in the classroom.
• Work with individuals and/or groups of children under the direction of the classroom teacher.
• Ensure the classroom environment is well-organised, neat and adequately stocked.
• Develop effective relationships with children, parents and teachers to support a conducive learning environment.
• Communicate effectively and confidently with colleagues, teachers, administrators, students and parents.
• Participate fully in professional development opportunities made available by SAS.
• Participate fully with a growth mindset with colleagues, teachers, and administrators.

Supervision and Student Care

• Ensure children's safety during times designated by the supervisor (e.g., before school, break, between classes, lunch, after school).
• Assist children with safe passage arriving and departing campus.
• Assist teacher(s) and enforce protocols during times of emergency (e.g., during fire drills, during lock-downs, evacuation).
  Assist supervisor in monitoring for safety hazards in the environment (e.g., loose tiles, loose safety rails, sharp objects).

Clerical Responsibilities

• Use relevant software to manage all routine administrative duties, as assigned by the supervisor (e.g., take attendance, student lists for field trips).
• Take initiative to prepare materials, checklists and paperwork as required by the supervisor. (e.g., stocking classrooms, replenishing consumable supplies, making trips to the bookstore on behalf of teachers, distributing mail).

The above job description is only indicative of the broad set of duties and responsibilities. Distribution of tasks is assigned by the supervisor. Other tasks may be assigned on the job, as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Position Requirements and Qualifications

• Communication:
• Strong proficiency in both verbal and written English and Mandarin Chinese is required. The successful candidate will be required to converse, read, write/type in both English and Mandarin, and provide interpretation in both languages.
  • Language proficiency tests or other assessments may be administered as part of the selection process to determine the candidate's proficiency in the required languages.
• Content Knowledge:
• Teaching qualification or full-time experience in a K-12 educational setting highly preferred;
• Diploma or certificate from a recognized Polytechnic or equivalent required;
• Clerical, typing (in both English & Chinese) necessary. Familiarity with Google tools helpful;
• Working proficiency in computer usage
• Collaboration: Team spirited, driven and "go the extra mile" attitude is essential; strong customer focused mindset and execution approach
• Creativity: Personal growth mindset, open to acting on feedback
• Competence: Experience working with children in an educational setting is highly preferred; Willingness to be flexible and adaptive to learning and classroom needs