The Stepping Stones Group
Make a Difference Every Day
Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!
School-Based Paraprofessional (Instructional Aide) | Full-Time | PK-12 Special Education | Multiple Openings
About the Opportunity
Are you passionate about supporting students and helping them reach their full potential? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking dedicated Paraprofessionals (Instructional Aides) to join our team during the 2026-2027 school year. This is more than a job. It's a chance to make a meaningful impact while working alongside educators and support teams, helping students build the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and life skills they need to succeed. We have multiple full-time openings.
You'll work with teachers and special education staff to provide 1:1, 2:1, or classroom support to students with significant needs, and you may float between classrooms or schools as needs change. Start dates are staggered, with positions expected to begin between mid-November and mid-December 2026.
- Pay: $26-$30 per hour
- Schedule: Monday-Friday, full-time, 32.5 hours per week (6.5 hours per day), within a 7:30 AM-3:30 PM window , no evenings or overnights
- Setting: Onsite, PK-12, 1:1, 2:1, floating, and classroom support in general education and special education settings
- Sites: Possible support at 1-2 school sites
- Start date: Staggered, expected between mid-November and mid-December 2026, through the end of the 2026-27 school year (mid-June)
- Employment type: W-2
- Location: Shared with candidates during the application process
What You'll Do
- Provide 1:1, 2:1, and classroom-wide support throughout the school day, and float between classrooms or sites when needed
- Provide behavioral support and intervention for students with moderate to severe behaviors, usingpositivereinforcement andsafety procedures
- Assist with personal care and daily needs, including toileting and diapering students of all ages, feeding, and mobility assistance
- Reinforceteacher-led lessons,instructionalactivities, andclassroom routines
- Provide emotional support and general academic support, includinghelp with assignments
- Collect and document data as directed by the teacher and school team
- Support implementation of IEP accommodations and behavior plans as directed
- Assiststudents duringtransitions, arrival,dismissal, lunch, andrecess as assigned
- Collaborate withteachers, specialeducation staff,therapists, andadministrators
- Maintain accuratedocumentation andstudent records, andmaintainconfidentiality
- Help maintain asafe, structured,positive, andinclusive learningenvironment
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- At least 10 months of experience with moderate to severe behaviors
- Comfort with and ability to provide toileting and diapering assistance to students of all ages
- Openness to floating between classrooms or school sites
- Flexibility with start date
- Ability to complete required fingerprinting and a background check and a TB test
- Reliable transportation
- Ability to follow instructional plans, classroom procedures, and behavioral support strategies
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Authorization to work in the United States; English proficiency
You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:
- Working with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional disturbance (ED), other health impairments (OHI), and significant behavioral needs
- Working with medically fragile students
- Providing toileting and diapering assistance to students of all ages
- Floating between classrooms or schools
- Working with students of all ages, PK-12, and all caseloads and behaviors
- Working in both general education and special education settings
- Supporting any school site in the district, based on district needs
- Working fully onsite and in person
Preferred Qualifications
- School-based experience
- Experience supporting students with disabilities and behavioral needs
- Experience with behavior support strategies or applied behavior analysis (ABA)
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification, or willingness to obtain it
- CPR and First Aid certification
- CPI, Safety-Care, or other crisis prevention and de-escalation training
- Associate's or bachelor's degree in education, psychology, child development, or a related field
Related Experience We Value
Experience as a Paraprofessional, Instructional Aide, Teacher Assistant, Educational Assistant, Classroom Aide, Special Education Assistant, Behavior Technician, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Student Support Assistant, or Direct Support Professional (DSP) is highly valued.
Why CandidatesChoose This Role
- Gain hands-onexperience ineducation and studentsupport
- Buildexperience forcareers in teaching,special education,psychology,counseling, socialwork, and healthcare
- Follow apredictable schoolschedule, withweekends, evenings,holidays, and schoolbreaks typically off
- Move quickly: no district interview is required, andthe district givesfeedback within 24hours of a submission
- Work alongsideexperienced teachers,therapists, andeducationalprofessionals
- Developprofessional skillsin instructionalsupport, behaviormanagement, andstudent engagement
Why You'll Love Working With Us
- Competitive pay of $26-$30 per hour
- Health and wellness benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees
- 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Continuing education resources
- Employee referral bonus program
- Responsive and supportive leadership
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities
Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain active throughout the school day, including frequent standing, walking, kneeling, bending, crouching, and repositioning
- Ability to respond quickly and safely to student needs, behaviors, and classroom situations
- Ability to assist students with mobility, toileting, and daily living activities
- Additional requirements may vary by assignment
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?
Successful Paraprofessionals are patient, dependable, adaptable, and student-focused. They stay calm in challenging moments, adjust quickly when they float to a new classroom, collaborate effectively with school teams, and build positive relationships with students.
About The Stepping Stones Group
We believe every child deserves exceptional support for their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth. We partner with schools across the country to provide high-quality educational services that help students build confidence, develop new skills, and reach meaningful milestones, and we give our team members the support, training, and resources to thrive.
Ready to make an impact? Please confirm that you're open to floating and comfortable with toileting and diapering students of all ages, share your experience with moderate to severe behaviors, and tell us how you'll get to work.