Gerber School Teaching Assistant

Urbana School District 116; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Urbana School District #116 is hiring a Gerber School Teaching Assistant to work under a special education teacher's guidance. This position focuses on helping students develop independence, managing behavioral plans, and maintaining classroom environments. Candidates must meet ISBE qualifications, which include having 60 college credit hours or passing the Work Keys Basic Skills test. Previous school-based experience is preferred. The role provides opportunities for additional compensation during the school year and summer.

Qualifications

• Must meet all ISBE requirements for obtaining a Paraprofessional License.
• Preferred two years of school-based experience.
• Ability to work with students with a history of behavior or learning problems.

Responsibilities

• Assist students in developing independence.
• Support special education teacher with various classroom tasks.
• Maintain strict standards of student confidentiality.

Skills

Highly organized

Excellent communication skills

Collaboration skills

Problem-solving

Education

60 hours of college credit or passing Work Keys Basic Skills test

Job description

Urbana School District #116

Title: Gerber School Teaching Assistant

Location: Gerber School

Supervisor: Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Director of Student Services, and/or Building Administration

Job Summary

The Special Education Teaching Assistant works under the direct supervision of the special education teacher and under the broad supervision of the building principal.

Essential Functions

• Provide assistance to students to help develop their independence.
• Assist in carrying out lessons to students as arranged by the teacher, including working with students on an individual or small group basis.
• Follow each student’s individual behavioral plan as well as the classroom behavior management plan.
• Provide for special needs of individual students, including hygiene, and restroom assistance if necessary.
• Assist the teacher in maintaining a functional, attractive, orderly environment conducive to student learning.
• Assist the special education teacher in clerical tasks, computer work, arts and crafts preparation, playground supervision, housecleaning duties, and student check‑ins and walk‑backs.
• Promote and model responsible, respectful, and safe behaviors.
• Promote and model appropriate social interactions with and between students.
• Maintain the classroom routine when the teacher is not present.
• Provide programs for students off School property if requested. (These may include, but are not limited to, field trips and vocational and public school classes.)
• Record and compile data monitoring academic and behavior programming.
• Participate in staff team/collaboration meetings as assigned.
• Perform all other duties and tasks assigned from time to time by the special education teacher as it relates to individual students or the classroom.
• Monitor student needs and behaviors during lunch, going to and from all classes, and at all times.
• Report any unusual student behaviors to the teacher or administrator.
• Maintain strict standards of student and family confidentiality.
• Use appropriate TCI techniques, including de‑escalation strategies and therapeutic restraint methods, when students are in danger of harming themselves or others.
• Become certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training and maintain current certification. Complete appropriate school and ISBE documentation related to significant events.

Qualifications

Education

• Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by the ISBE to obtain a Paraprofessional License: 60 hours of college credit or passing scores on a Work Keys Basic Skills test.

Experience

• Two years of school‑based experience is preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Highly organized.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Excellent problem‑solver.
• Should be able to work with students with a history of behavior or learning problems.
• Proven to work under pressure and can prioritize multiple tasks.

Terms of Employment

• Student Contact Days and other days stipulated on the work calendar in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
• Salary and Benefit information can be found on the Human Resources webpage. There are many opportunities for employees to earn additional compensation (stipends, differentials, extra duty pay, etc.) during the regular school year and in the summer.
• This is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.
• This is a non‑exempt position.

Evaluation

This will be completed by the principal with input from the special education teacher.

Start Date

As soon as possible and for SY 2026‑27

Equal Opportunity Employer

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Revised

March 2025