Aide - Special Education (long-term Substitute)

Portage Township Schools; United States; On-site; USD 20,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution is seeking a Long-term Substitute Special Education Aide for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year. The role focuses on assisting students with physical limitations and special educational needs, ensuring their safety and well-being. Ideal candidates should possess a high school diploma, relevant experience, and the ability to handle physical tasks. This is a full-time position with responsibilities including classroom support and effective communication with teachers and parents.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience as a classroom paraprofessional preferred.
• Ability to hold and manage lifting tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with special needs in physical and daily activities.
• Ensure the safety and welfare of students in the classroom.
• Communicate effectively with parents and staff about students' needs.

Skills

Effective active listening skills

Ability to work effectively with others

Organizational and problem-solving skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years of higher education or passing score on State Parapro Assessment

Tools

Computer

Hydraulic lift

Copy machines

Job description

Long-term substitute Special Education Aide position for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year.

CRESTWOOD BOARD OF EDUCATION

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Type: Support Staff/ Special Education Assistant

Reports to: Building Principal/Director of Pupil Services

Employment Status: Regular/Full-time

FLSA Status: Classified Non-Exempt

Description: To assist students with physical limitations and educational needs. To assist students with special needs under the direction of a certified teacher. To assist the teacher in general daily classroom activities, help special needs students, and cares for students' physical, emotional health and safety, affirming their abilities and striving to promote dignity in all relationships. To provide support, explanation, re-teaching, and discipline.

Essential Functions:

• Ensure the safety of students
• Possesses a knowledge level and/or holds previous working experience as a classroom paraprofessional with students who have disabilities (cognitive, language and autistic)
• Must be flexible, patient, and tolerant of students with challenging behaviors and diverse skill levels
• Be able to take directives positively from the teacher and work with minimal direct supervision
• Must be able to report on time and have a good attendance record
• Must be physically capable of lifting 60 pounds
• Must be physically able to transfer students from wheelchair to various activities/personal care needs
• Must pass lifting in-service administered by the physical therapist
• Maintain accurate, complete and correct records as required
• Maintain respect at all times for confidential information
• Provide guidance to the students which will promote their welfare and their proper educational development
• Attend educational field trips
• Attempt to meet the goals and objectives of the instructional program as defined in the IEP
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Regularly communicate with parents and administrators
• Prepare materials needed for student's instructional needs
• Schedule appropriate intervention times for students with a classroom teacher
• Perform bus duty, lunch duty, and playground duty, as requested
• Perform all other assigned duties
• Make contacts with the public with tact and diplomacy
• Interact in a professional manner with staff, students and parents
• Attend meetings and in-services as required
• Assist students who are physically limited
• Assist in preparing classroom material to accommodate the limitation(s) of the student
• Promote good public relations

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Respond to routine questions and requests in an appropriate manner
• Establish and maintain cooperative professional relationships
• Attend professional growth seminars, workshops, etc., to keep current on relevant issues
• Interact with other departments and school personnel when necessary
• Interact with the public in an official capacity when required
• Interact with Superintendent and/or Board of Education and present information as requested
• Duplicate classroom materials
• Assist students with toiletry needs as necessary
• Write for the student
• Communicating needs of the student to the proper authority
• Assists with all classroom procedures as directed by the teacher, therapists, and school nurse
• Toilets or manages students' personal care needs
• Supervision of lunch periods/recess
• Follows IEP goals as instructed by teachers to facilitate learning in the self-contained classroom as well as in other areas of the building
• Performs other duties as directed by the teacher, therapists, building and/or district administrator(s)
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Principal and/or Special Education Coordinator

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Two years of higher education; associate's degree or higher or passing score on State Parapro Assessment
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent and/or Board of Education may find appropriate

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the academic area and teaching methodology
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to communicate ideas and directives clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
• Effective active listening skills
• Organizational and problem-solving skills
• Basic first-aid and CPR training
• Knowledge of child development and an understanding of age-appropriate tasks
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Knowledge and training in various restraint methods

Equipment Operated:

• Copy machines
• Computer
• Printer
• Calculator
• Telephone
• Tape recorder
• LCD
• Ellis machine
• Language master
• Hydraulic lift
• Wheelchairs

Additional Working Conditions:

• Exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue
• Operation of a vehicle under inclement weather conditions, i.e., being prepared to attend to classes on all scheduled school days, except calamity days
• Interaction with unruly children
• The requirement to travel, i.e., between school buildings if necessary
• The regular requirement to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see, read, speak, reach, stretch with hands and arms, crouch, climb, kneel, and stoop
• The requirement to lift, push, pull and carry various classroom materials, supplies and/or equipment up to a maximum of 100 pounds, e.g., overhead projector, books, supplies, audio-visual cart and children

This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the incumbent. The incumbent will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the incumbent's supervisor, appointing authority.