Paraprofessional (EC-8)

Supervisor: School Principal / Assistant Principal

Salary: Per Collective Bargaining Agreement (Category B starting $19.00 per hour), Benefits Summary / Insurance Premiums Work Year: School Year Location: To Be Determined

Summary: Under supervision, assist teachers in special education and special needs classroom operations; assist teachers in instruction and the reinforcement of instruction of students, who have been identified with learning disabilities, individually and in small; provide student and program record keeping and clerical support; perform related work as required.

Qualifications / Experience

1. ISBE Paraprofessional endorsement or PEL License, required.
2. Previous experience as a substitute paraprofessional or work within a school setting preferred.
3. Interest and experience working with special needs students of varying abilities.
4. Ability to execute tasks and duties provided in written and oral form.
5. Possesses the ability to work collaboratively with others in order to optimize student achievement.
6. Experience using iPads in an instructional setting.
7. Demonstrates the ability to positively interact with students, staff, and parents.
8. Positive attendance history.
9. Demonstrates the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Work with individual students and/or in small group to support material initially introduced by a teacher.
2. Assist certified teacher(s) with organization of classroom exercises and assessments.
3. Assist teacher in classroom preparation.
4. Utilized various strategies that reinforce instructional materials and skills according to individual needs.
5. Assist classroom teacher and related service providers by providing support to students on IEPs by ensuring the student(s) is receiving accommodations and adaptations to meet their educational goals and objectives.
6. Utilized various strategies that reinforce instructional materials and skills according to individual needs.
7. Assist with classroom behavior management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom and help keep students on task.
8. Reinforce positive behavior and record daily activities, accompany students to specials, provide immediate prompts and implement behavior plans.
9. Monitor student behavior outside of the classroom setting such as hallways, assemblies and field trips.
10. Follow all applicable safety rules, procedures, and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students including those with disabilities or other special needs.
11. Maintain (at all times) confidential nature of placement data, psychological reports and information regarding testing, placement and status of students.
12. Interact with students using iPad/Macbook programs such as iMovie, Google platform, SeeSaw, Quizlet, etc.
13. Provide assistance and support to substitute teachers in the absence of the permanent teacher.
14. Provide a safe and positive learning environment for students.
15. Record student performance in order to document progress.
16. Accompany students on field trips, to assemblies, special presentations, and other activities outside of the classroom.
17. Participate in the IEP process and serve as a resource for the student personnel evaluation team.
18. Attend professional development and training as required.
19. Serve as a resource for all students, as needed.
20. Assist student(s) with the use of assistive technology, as required.

Responsibilities: Self-Contained Paraprofessional

All duties outlined in Responsibilities in addition to the following:

1. Provide individualized care to special needs students that may include, but is not limited to, assisting with feeding, grooming, toileting, and diapering as required.
2. Provide assistance to students such as putting on and removing outwear, placing belongings in appropriate locations, tying shoes, etc.
3. Based on student needs, physically transfer students from the wheelchair to chair, wheelchair to floor, wheelchair to stander, stander to wheelchair, wheelchair to commode, etc., which require lifting.
4. Interact with students in cooperative play, small-group setting and overall support teacher-directed curriculum.
5. Models conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
6. Offer assistance to students during time with related service provides (OT, PT, SLP).
7. Implement seizure action plan, as required.
8. Assist students with physical and mental disabilities with daily living activities.

Responsibilities - Resource Paraprofessional

All duties outlined in Responsibilities in addition to the following:

1. Serve as a resource for students by reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer/technology instruction, and other academic areas as a means of assisting the student in meeting IEP goals.
2. Record student performance in order to document progress.
3. Accompany students on field trips, to assemblies, special presentations, and other activities outside of the classroom.

Responsibilities - Dedicated 1:1 Paraprofessional

All duties outlined in Responsibilities in addition to the following:

1. Serve as a dedicated resource to a specific student.
2. Attend to needs of individual student as outlined in the student's IEP.
3. Escort assigned student
4. Based on student need, provide one-on-one supervision in non-instructional areas such as the lunch program, bus duty, and recess.
5. Monitor assigned student's health status; report updates/changes as necessary.
6. Support assigned student in general education classroom and specials.
7. Escort assigned student on bus ride to/from school, as required in IEP.

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions of Employment

• Vision: (which may be corrected) to read small print, read a computer screen for prolonged periods
• Hearing: (which may be corrected) to answer telephones and tolerate exposure to noisy conditions
• Speech: to be understood in face-to-face and group communications; to speak with a level pf proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone
• Upper Body Mobility: use hands and fingers to feel, grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at waist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head
• Strength: to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects that weigh as much as 10 pounds on a frequent basis; to push/pull objects that weigh as much as 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Some positions may require regular lifting and physical support of children who weigh more than 50 pounds.
• Environmental Requirements: encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors
• Mental Requirements: read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; possess judgment and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records

Apply: Applicants should complete the online application and upload all supplementary materials electronically. Hard-copy materials are not accepted. The online application may be accessed by visiting our website: We are an equal opportunity employer who fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.