Instructional Assistant (Structured)

Hawthorn School District 73; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawthorn School District 73 in Vernon Hills, IL is seeking an instructional assistant to support teachers and students in a respectful learning environment. The role involves working with individuals or small groups to reinforce skills and content previously introduced by the teacher, and to help manage classroom activities.

You will participate in training, assist with supervision as needed, and maintain confidentiality of student information while communicating effectively with teachers,

Qualifications

• Paraprofessional or equivalent license required; Short-Term License available for high school diploma candidates.
• Experience with students in a learning center atmosphere preferred.
• Illinois elementary teaching certificate preferred; ability to speak a foreign language; good communication with children and parents.
• Ability to follow directions; work well with adults.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in achieving objectives with individual students or small groups.
• Implement strategies to reinforce skills based on students' needs and abilities.
• Reinforce learning of skills or content introduced by the teacher with individuals or groups.
• Help manage and supervise students to ensure a safe, productive learning environment.
• Communicate with teachers about problems or special information regarding students.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information.
• Participate in training programs; assist with supervision and other duties as assigned.
• Assist with supervision of students and other duties as assigned by the Principal.

Skills

Paraprofessional license

Professional Educator license

Substitute Teaching License

Experience with students

Foreign language ability

Education

Illinois elementary teaching certificate

Job description

• Position Type: Support Staff/ Instructional Assistant
• Date Posted: 9/2/2026
• Date Available: ASAP

Description

• Assists the teacher(s) in achieving teaching and learning objectives working with individual students or small groups.
• Assists the teacher(s) in implementing strategies for reinforcing skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
• Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce the learning of skills or content initially introduced by the teacher.
• Assists the teacher(s) with the management and supervision of students in the classroom to ensure a safe and productive learning environment.
• Communicates with and alerts the teacher to any problems or special information related to the students.
• Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of teachers.
• Assists the teacher(s), when appropriate, with such activities as drill work, reading to students, listening to students read, guiding independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work.
• Participates in training programs, as assigned.
• Assists with the supervision of students, and other duties in the school, as assigned by the Principal.

Requirements

• All instructional assistants must have a Paraprofessional (Short-Term License* is available for candidates with a high school diploma or the equivalent), Professional Educator or a Substitute Teaching License from the Illinois State Board of Education.
• Experience working with students in a learning center atmosphere preferred.
• Illinois elementary teaching certificate preferred. Ability to speak foreign language. Be able to communicate well with children and parents.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Work well with adults.

Employment Terms/Hours: 7 hours/day; five days per week