Paraeducator MAC

Illinois School District U-46; Elgin (AL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois School District U-46 seeks a Paraeducator for the MultiAbilities Classroom to support students with diverse needs, including personal care, behavior supports and multilingual instruction. The role requires collaboration with a certified staff member and adherence to MAC routines.

You will assist with IEP goals, data collection, and classroom organization, ensuring a structured, inclusive environment. A Para Educator license or higher is required; bilingual Spanish/English preferred.

Qualifications

• Para Educator licensure or provisional licensure required.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Assignments in multilingual classrooms require bilingual proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Implement instructional activities under teacher guidance.
• Assist with IEP goals and behavior supports.
• Support communication systems and visual schedules.
• Follow behavioral plans and de-escalation strategies.
• Collect and document data as directed.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Education

Para Educator license / provisional license

60 semester hours or Para Pro exam or Work Keys

Bilingual Spanish/English preferred

Job description

Position / Title: Paraeducator MultiAbilities Classroom (including multilingual classrooms)

Bargaining Unit: DUEA

Department/Location: Specialized Student Services

Calendar Days: 195

Reports To: Building Principal

JD Revision Date: 12/1/2025

Supervises: N/A

Function / Position Summary

The Multi Abilities Classroom (MAC) paraeducator supports the classroom by assisting in the implementation of structured instructional, behavioral, social and communication supports aligned to the MAC curriculum and practices. Provide direct support to students with significant academic learning, communication and behavioral needs, including assistance with personal care, feeding and toileting as required. Perform duties under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, contribute to a consistent, hands on and supportive learning environment while maintaining confidentiality of student, staff and department information.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Implement individual or small group instructional activities under the direction of the MAC teacher, using established routines, visual supports and structured practices.
• Familiarize yourself with student IEP goals, objectives, accommodations and behavior supports to assist with consistent implementation across the school day.
• Support the use of communication systems, visual schedules, reinforcement systems and other structured supports that align with MAC expectations and individual student needs.
• Follow through on defined behavioral intervention plans and procedures, including implementation of proactive strategies, reinforcement systems and de-escalation supports as directed by the teacher.
• Assist with data collection, including academic, behavioral, social and communication data, and document information as requested by the teacher.
• Support a structured classroom environment by preparing, organizing and maintaining materials and assisting with environmental setup as directed by the teacher.
• Supervise students during lunch, recess, arrival, departure and community-based activities.
• Escort students within the building, including transitions to specials/electives, therapies and other instructional spaces.
• Assist with the loading and unloading of student buses during assigned work hours.
• Work cooperatively with the teacher by assisting with any activity aligned to student IEP needs, including instructional tasks, communication supports, social skills and behavior routines.
• Provide personal care support to students, including lifting, transferring, positioning, feeding, toileting and hygiene needs, consistent with special skills expectations.
• Support students in building independence, communication, self-regulation and engagement throughout the school day.
• Provide input to the teacher regarding student responses, communication attempts, behavior patterns and other needs.
• Attend staff meetings and professional development activities as assigned
• Maintain confidentiality of student, staff and department information within the school and community.
• Be willing to complete and maintain certification in CPI and Ukeru to support safe, proactive approaches to behavior support.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• Para Educator, Substitute, Professional Educator or Provisional Educator License required.
• Minimum education requirement for a Para Educator license is completion of at least 60 semester hours of college course work or a passing score on the ETS Para Pro exam or two specific Work Keys exams.
• Bilingual Spanish/English (written/verbal) preferred.
• Assignments in multi-lingual or bilingual classrooms require Bilingual-Spanish/English

Experience / Knowledge

• 3 years of Para Educator experience or classroom assistant for students with disabilities preferred
• Experience with students who have behavioral needs preferred
• Experience as a Behavior technician or Registered Behavior Technician strongly preferred
• Ability to collaborate with staff and students in a way that is collaborative, student friendly and productive
• Familiarity with data collection preferred

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work through many interruptions throughout the school day
• Required prolonged standing, bending, start/stop and sitting
• Lifting may be required to manually move, carry, pull or push heavy objects or materials
• Assisting with toileting needs may be required as needed
• Ability to perform CPI approved restraint once trained
• Excellent physical agility and quick response time

Terms of Employment

• This is a 9-month position. Salary and benefits are established by the Board of Education and set forth in the collective bargaining agreement as applicable.
• The starting rate for this role is $23.38/hr.