About this role
HARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS JOB DESCRIPTION Position: Pre K Language Support Assistant
Reports to: Director of Pre K Programs Contract: 200 Days
Salary Scale: Teacher Assistant Scale FLSA Status: Exempt
Revised: 10/2026
POSITION SUMMARY: Assists teachers in supporting the language development, communication, and classroom participation of Pre-K students across multiple classrooms. Under teacher direction, provides intentional language support through play, daily routines, and individual and small-group activities to help students access instruction, interact with peers, and build kindergarten readiness. Supports multilingual learners and other students who need additional opportunities to develop language. QUALIFICATIONS:
• Completion of two years of college; associate or bachelor degree preferred.
• Proficiency in spoken and written communication; bilingual ability preferred.
• Experience working with young children preferred, including children and families from diverse linguistic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Familiarity with equity and inclusion frameworks. Models non-discriminatory practices
• in all activities. Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.
• Ability to learn and use developmentally appropriate strategies for vocabulary, listening comprehension, conversation, and early literacy.
• Ability to follow teacher-directed plans, maintain accurate records, organize materials, and work independently within assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to manage a schedule across multiple classrooms and maintain collaborative relationships with students, teachers, assistants, specialists, and administrators.
• Emotionally mature, objective, and sensitive to the needs of others. Able to handle
• responsibility, work independently, and maintain collaborative working relationships
• with students, families and co-workers.
• Proficiency in the use of a variety of office/instructional equipment and technology with experience using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and email.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Provides language support in assigned classrooms according to a coordinated schedule and teacher-identified student needs; communicates schedule changes and missed sessions promptly.
• Collaborates with classroom teachers to plan language support aligned with current themes, classroom instruction, and individual student needs.
• May substitute for teachers when needed.
• Works with individual students and small groups under teacher direction to strengthen vocabulary, listening comprehension, expressive language, conversation, and early literacy.
• Embeds language practice in centers, books, songs, meals, transitions, outdoor play, and other daily routines so students can use skills in meaningful situations.
• Uses teacher-approved visuals, gestures, objects, repeated language, and other supports to help students understand directions and participate in classroom activities.
• Supports multilingual learners while respecting and valuing their home languages, cultures, and family experiences.
• Coordinates with teachers and relevant specialists to use recommended communication supports consistently. Implements assigned strategies
• Records teacher-requested observations and progress information accurately, shares student responses and concerns with teachers, and maintains confidentiality.
• Assists with student supervision and assigned classroom, lunch, arrival, dismissal, or bus duties while following safety procedures.
• Assists with helping children with personal hygiene and bathroom training when needed.
• Participates in required meetings, professional learning, and training; demonstrates dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Complies with division policies, procedures, and the HCPS Strategic Plan; performs other duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT: Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently. Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and community members. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; and subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Regular contact with staff members and students is required. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of administrative personnel. The above is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the demands of this position.