Paraprofessional

Distinctive Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical)

403b match

Tuition reimbursement

Gym and wellness discounts

Paid holidays & leave

Job summary

Distinctive Schools seeks a Paraprofessional at CICS Irving Park in Chicago to support teachers and students across academics and social-emotional learning. The role involves assisting with instruction, materials preparation, and collaboration with the school team to meet individualized education plans.

Compensation starts at $42,029 with commensurate experience. Regular full-time employment includes benefits such as healthcare, retirement matching, and paid leave.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma.
• Physical demands: Occasional lifting, standing, and walking as part of classroom support.
• Experience assisting diverse learners is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Deliver academic, behavioral, and functional skills instruction to students in whole-class, small-group, and individual settings.
• Prepare materials and resources for use in the classroom to support learning goals.
• Assist with IEP-related activities and behavior intervention plans as needed.
• Maintain clear, professional communication with families, teachers, and support staff.

Skills

Student support

Classroom assistance

Behavior management

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Title: Paraprofessional
Location: CICS Irving Park, 5120 N. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, IL 60618
Reports To: Principal
Salary: Starting at $42,029, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: November 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

A Distinctive Schools Paraprofessional serves as an advocate for the needs of the diverse learning population. Supporting and assisting teachers in fulfilling the academics and social-emotional needs of students is a top priority. The paraprofessional, under the supervision of the school-based leadership team, and in collaboration with the special education teacher and the general education teachers, provides support to individual students in areas that may include academics, functional performance, or physical assistance.

Responsibilities

Culture

• Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making
• Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things
• Celebrate student milestones, accomplishments, and growth towards their goals
• Create a developmentally appropriate, positive, inclusive, equitable and safe learning environment
• Foster a culture of belonging through positive and professional relationships with colleagues, students and families
• Support mission of school and network
• Deliver academic, behavioral, and functional skills instruction to assigned students in whole-class, small-group, and individual settings
• Prepare materials and resources for use in the classroom that support students’ learning goals
• Carry out the educational programs developed through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process, performing daily activities using specific materials/methods and/or material modifications designed by the special education teacher and support personnel (speech, OT/PT, etc.)
• Implement individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) for assigned students as required
• Collaborate with the general education and the special education teacher to plan instruction for individual students
• Maintain clear communication between family, student and teacher in a professional way
• Assist with the maintenance of records of student needs, instructional programs, student progress, preparation of forms, organizing and maintaining files
• Collect data to measure assigned students’ growth utilizing a variety of evidence-based measures
• Assist in toileting and feeding of students
• Assist in lifting or transfer of students

Professional Development

• Participate in on-going professional development to continuously improve their ability to serve assigned students
• Attend and participate in campus and network/regional meetings and professional learning opportunities

Requirements (minimum)

Education: High school diploma

Physical demands: Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing

• 25+ paid holidays, upfront sick leave, and an accrual-based personal time bank
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] g or call 773.828.4191