Position Overview
Since recess is the time where many children are mostly bullied (or tend to be rowdy), it is important to have a monitor doing the rounds and making sure that every child is safe and that no untoward incident transpires.
The work of a recess monitor is demanding on many levels.
Firstly, they have to look over a large number of students – many schools hire more than one recess monitor to handle the expanse.
Secondly, handling students who may be rowdy and difficult to control is a challenge in itself. Nonetheless, these individuals work tirelessly during the entire school day, trying to get things in order and assisting small children with their meals and outdoor activities.
Job Reuirements
Typical requirements to work as a recess monitor include a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some academic institutes may prefer hiring individuals who have a degree in child development, psychology or behavioral sciences.
If you have had some experience as a parent volunteer in a school environment or a stint where you worked with children across many age brackets, you may be considered a great pick to work as a recess monitor.
Here is a list of some typical duties that you will be performing as a recess monitor:
Recess Monitor Duties, Tasks, Roles and Responsibilities
• Monitor student behavior during recess periods to ensure safety and acceptable conduct.
• Establish and implement standards of behavioral acceptance and ensure that each student follows it.
• Encourage a harmonious atmosphere by encouraging peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
• Circulate through cafeterias during mealtimes and assist young students in opening their lunch packs and disposing of used packings.
• Direct the clean-up of spills and ensure that all sanitary requirements of the cafeteria are met.
• Assist students through cafeteria lines by ensuring orderly queues and appropriate behavior.
• Direct the movement of students to and from playgrounds, lunchrooms, and activities areas.
• Assess playgrounds for security and report any concerns to the principal or school administration.
• Respond to emergencies such as playground injuries by performing first aid and ensure that any associated paperwork is completed on time.
• Assist in formulating and implementing activities and games, appropriate for each student group.
• Monitor and maintain necessary lunchroom and activities supplies.
• Correct or redirect inappropriate playground or lunchroom behavior and communicate any serious concerns to the management.