2026-27 Instructional Assistant, At-Risk at SchoolSpring · McAllen

Summary: Castaneda Elementary School, part of McAllen Independent School District, is seeking an Instructional Assistant to support at-risk students in a well-organized and supportive instructional environment. The role assists individuals and small groups with assignments, reinforcement tasks, remediation, instructional activities, and related student support while coordinating with teachers, administrators, and pupil services personnel.

Responsibilities:
- Serve as a resource to principals and teachers in the implementation of programs and services for Children At-Risk
- Be aware of quality at-risk programs, instructional delivery strategies for at-risk children and instructional materials targeted toward children at-risk
- Assist individuals or small group of students in completion of assignments or projects in an inclusion setting
- Work with individuals or small groups of students on reinforcement tasks along with the classroom teacher
- Maintain a classroom environment that exemplifies high expectations, quality and student success
- Collect and organize all reports required by the State and Federal Programs Office for the Children At-Risk Program related to their position
- Work cooperatively with the Language Enrichment teacher, classroom teachers, specialist aides, and administrators and instructional coaches to provide high-quality instructional support for Children At-Risk
- Coordinate instructional activities with classroom teachers, i.e. reading tests, remediating skills, etc
- Assist in making parent contacts as appropriate and within the confines of academic issues of the student
- Direct social/emotional issues to appropriate pupil services personnel
- Direct student in need of further assistance to the appropriate pupil services personnel (counselor, social worker, psychologist, etc.)
- Participate in appropriate professional development activities scheduled by the State and Federal Programs Office
- Maintain the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of fully licensed teacher
- Assist in clerical duties in relation to correspondence regarding the Children At-Risk Program
- Follow McAllen ISD customer service standards
- Perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor (primary evaluator) in accordance with funding source guidelines

Required Qualifications:
- Associate degree or a minimum of 48 college hours, required
- Paraprofessional Certification **(required upon employment)**
- Strong interpersonal skills; ability to read, write, and communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing in English and Spanish; ability to work with at-risk students; ability to follow directions and carry out assigned tasks independently and in an organized manner, basic computer skills such as keyboard/word processing, preferred and sincere interest in positive attitude
- Ability to maintain emotional control and to communicate clearly in stressful situations; make rational decisions under stressful circumstances; deal with special needs children in a firm, supportive, but non-emotional manner; dependability and punctuality
- Long periods of time standing; ability to assist in restraining students in crisis situations

Preferred Qualifications:
- One (1) year of experience in school setting, preferred
- Background in working with at-risk children, preferred

Required Skills: Paraprofessional Certification, At-Risk Student Support, Spanish