Instructional Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan

INTRODUCTION

Alpena Public Schools is currently hiring Instructional Assistants for Thunder Bay Junior High.

Positions involve supporting students in kindergarten through 12th grade in the following areas: At Risk, Before/After School Care, and Special Education. IA's perform an essential role at the school, including assisting the teacher in the classroom, supervising students outside the classroom in cafeterias, libraries, on playgrounds, and providing security in hallways. They may be responsible for assisting student(s) with personal care, instructional activities, and behavioral issues.

The internal bid for this position is up the end of the day, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Hours: up to 7 hours per day

BENEFITS:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (Holidays/Sick/Personal/Bereavement)
• Spring Break, Summer/Winter Vacation
• Retirement/Pension Plans
• Student Loan Forgiveness
• AT&T School Employee Discount

QUALIFICATIONS

High School diploma or GED is required. Successful completion of district-provided Professional Development is required unless applicant meets the Highly Qualified standards, i.e. Associate degree, 60 semester hours of college credit, or passage of the State of Michigan approved assessment for paraprofessionals. Patience, a genuine desire to work with children, and previous experience working with children is preferred. All employees are required to complete a criminal history/fingerprint check.

See attached job description for additional information.

Position Title: Instructional Assistant - Elementary/Secondary

Department: Special Education/General Education (Mixed)

Reports To: Principal

SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the building administrator and the direction of certificated staff members, the IA performs the necessary duties to assist in the planning and implementation of a program for the regular and special needs of all children in all building areas, including lunchroom, classroom, playground, and other areas as needed. May be responsible for assisting student(s) with personal care, instructional activities, and behavioral issues. May be responsible for implementing IEP and 504 and related accommodation plans for students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists student(s) in reaching their maximum potential in becoming independent learner(s).
• Assists in individual or small group pupil instruction; tutors pupil(s) at teacher's request.
• Assists teacher in maintaining discipline and other functions.
• Assists teacher in implementing modifications to curriculum for individual students and small groups.
• Assists student(s) with set-up, preparation and implementation of materials for instructional units.
• Assists students with redirection of behaviors and management of inappropriate behavior.
• Assists teacher in data collection and documentation for individual students.
• Assists teacher in implementation and documentation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and other Tier III interventions.
• Assists teacher in implementation and documentation of school-wide Check In/Check Out intervention and other Tier II interventions.
• Operates standard school equipment such as laminator, copier, audiovisual, etc.
• May escort child(ren) to and from various rooms. May be required to accompany student(s) in lunchroom, to recess, and while attending special classes/programs.
• Assists and supervises student(s) in boarding and disembarking bus, in gym, and playground activities.
• Assists and instructs student(s) in personal hygiene, toileting, toothbrushing, and handwashing.
• Lifts or assists with lifting student(s) from wheelchairs to changing tables or designated areas.
• Supervises students during non-instructional activities such as breakfast, recess and lunch.
• Sanitizes classroom and equipment using approved materials.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Follows all Board policies and District procedures.
• Reviews email communications regularly and responds as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises students under teacher direction and in the absence of the teacher.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required; Associate degree, 60 semester hours of college credit, or passage of a State of Michigan approved assessment for paraprofessionals is preferred; previous experience with special needs students is preferred. CPI certification or willingness to become CPI certified is preferred at next available opportunity.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence and effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of APS.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to work with severely handicapped, emotionally and cognitively impaired students, and other disabled students. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk on level and unlevel ground (inside and outside of building), sit, climb stairs, and talk or hear for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift 50 lbs and/or push/pull up to 100 lbs. The employee must be sufficiently mobile to effectively supervise and assist with students, including ability to escort or restrain students as needed. The employee is required to be computer literate and to have the energy to deal with multiple demands. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment. The employee must be able to escort students and, after proper training, restrain students in an emergency situation. The employee must be sufficiently mobile to effectively supervise and assist with students. The employee must be able to escort students and, after proper training, restrain students in an emergency situation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in this environment is moderate to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school, where noise level may vary. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in some vocational settings. The employee is frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. May be directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and/or work output of students.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescription controlled substance use and/or abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.