Assistant Teacher

Specialized Education Services, Inc.; Darien (IL); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Tuition reimbursement

Credentialing support

Healthcare benefits

401(k) with employer match

Mental health support

Job summary

Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) seeks an instructional assistant to support students with special needs in small groups and collaborative classrooms. You will monitor progress, reinforce learning, and implement the SESI model with fidelity.

Starting pay is USD $16.25 per hour. A high school diploma is required; bachelor’s degree is preferred. Experience with diverse student needs is desirable, and the role involves safety and daily planning in a dynamic school setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with students with special needs in an educational setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead small group instruction and support with SESI rotational model.
• Collaborate with teacher to provide customized behavior and academic support.
• Conduct formal and informal assessments.
• Provide accommodations and modifications as necessary.
• Support daily plans, track student growth and progress.
• Supervise students and ensure safety during movement.

Skills

Experience with special needs

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Company Overview

Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting. SESI partners with school districts to run in-district classrooms and standalone schools that meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of special and alternative education students. Partnering with over 600 school districts nationwide, SESI serves more than 7,000 students. Join our team members who shine a positive light on our students and uncover the unique learner within. Have a profound impact, grow, learn, and thrive as part of our team.

What you can expect from us.

• Diverse career pathways, mobility up and across our national network, and ongoing professional and leadership development.
• Paid training, tuition reimbursement, and credentialing support.
• Data-driven, evidence-based learning and instructional models, including SESI’s own positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS) framework called CASE.
• An attractive and robust suite of benefits, including comprehensive healthcare benefits, 401(k) with employer match, employee assistance program, mental health support, fertility and family building, and more.
• Smaller class sizes in diverse educational settings.

Overview

Advance student potential—and your own—as you collaborate with the teacher to work with small groups of students in delivering individualized services and support. Realize the joy of possibility as you monitor student behavior, track educational progress, communicate with parents, and reinforce learning and skills through our proven model.

Responsibilities

• Work with a diverse group of students from varying developmental, cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Lead small group instruction as you implement the SESI academic rotational model.
• Partner with the teacher in providing customized behavior and academic support and conducting formal and informal assessments.
• Reinforce students’ learning of teacher-introduced materials and skills by assigning relevant tasks, using data to determine appropriate materials, and completing one-on-one tutorials.
• Assist the teacher with large group activities, grading work, guiding independent study or enrichment activities, and providing accommodations and modifications as necessary.
• Utilize behavior support and intervention strategies.
• Implement de-escalation techniques, crisis management, and physical restraint if necessary to maintain the safety of students and staff.
• Support the creation and implementation of daily plans.
• Support, document, and track student growth and progress toward academic, social, and emotional goals.
• Supervise students and ensure they are always monitored, including to and from appropriate school locations.
• Work in collaboration with other teachers, assistant teachers, and related service providers to address students’ needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; college experience or bachelor’s degree highly preferred.
• Experience working with students with special needs in an educational setting preferred.

Posted Salary Range

Starting from USD $16.25/Hr.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to run short distances and move swiftly in response to student needs, including bending, kneeling, and crouching.
• Ability to lift and assist students with mobility challenges, often requiring the handling of up to 50 pounds or more.
• Skill in managing fine motor tasks, such as helping students with writing, manipulating small objects, or using adaptive devices.
• Ability to operate a computer or tablet for up to 8 hours daily.
• Capacity to notice and respond to non‑verbal cues from students
• Capacity to remain calm and composed during physically and emotional demanding situations, ensuring student safety and well-being

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.