Paraprofessional

The Stepping Stones Group; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is seeking School-Based Paraprofessionals for the ongoing 2026-2027 school year in Naperville, IL. This full-time role supports middle school and transition students in general and special education settings, with one-on-one, small-group, and classroom support.

Typical duties include assisting with daily routines, providing instructional support under supervision, and helping implement therapy programs while adhering to behavior plans.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a state paraprofessional license or endorsement, in hand or applied for, with proof at submission.
• Association or higher degree, 60 semester hours, or high school diploma with qualifying WorkKeys score.
• Experience in a public school setting and with students with similar needs.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assist students in daily routines across school and community settings.
• Provide individual or small-group instruction under teacher supervision.
• Support students academically at their level and in inclusion settings.
• Assist with transportation, hygiene, and use of adaptive equipment as needed.
• Participate in team planning and IEP meetings when requested.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Reliability

Education

Associate's degree or higher

60 college hours or high school diploma with ACT WorkKeys

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group

Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based Paraprofessional | Full-Time | Middle School and Transition 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 to join our team for the rest of 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 daily living skills they need to succeed in school and in the community. We have multiple full-time openings at more than one location.

You'll work under the teacher's direction to support students in classrooms, in inclusion settings, and out in the community, with one-on-one, small-group, and classroom support.

• Pay:$21-$22 per hour
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, full-time, 35 hours per week (7 hours per day plus a 30-minute unpaid break), within a 7:00 AM-4:00 PM window, no evenings or overnights
• Setting: Onsite, middle school and transition programs, one-on-one, two-on-one, and classroom support in general education and special education settings
• Sites: Possible support at 1-3 school sites, with travel between sites during the day as needed
• Start date: Immediate, through the end of the 2026-27 school year (late May)
• Employment type: W-2
• Location: Shared with candidates during the application process

What You'll Do

• Monitor and assist students in their daily routines across school and community settings
• Provide individual or small-group instruction under the teacher's supervision
• Provide academic support at each student's level
• Accompany students in inclusion settings and provide academic and behavioral support
• Support students' therapy programs as directed by related services staff and the teacher, including data collection
• Assist students with bathroom and hygiene needs, using proper sanitation
• Help students use and care for adaptive equipment
• Provide active supervision, including bus duty, community outings, the playground, the lunchroom, and passing periods
• Assist students onto and off of transportation, including buckling seat belts and harnesses
• Follow behavior intervention plans and crisis plans, including reinforcement, nonviolent crisis intervention, data collection, modeling, and physical management
• Prepare classroom materials, such as cutting, typing, copying, and laminating
• Help keep the learning environment clean, safe, and orderly, and follow emergency procedures
• Take part in team planning meetings and IEP meetings when requested, and complete specialized training as assigned
• Work professionally with teachers, therapists, and district staff

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 19 years of age
• A state paraprofessional license or endorsement, in hand or applied for, with proof at the time of submission. If you don't have it yet, you must qualify and be willing to apply for and obtain it.
• One of the following: an Associate's degree or higher, 60 semester hours of college coursework, or a high school diploma with a passing score on a workplace skills assessment (ACT WorkKeys)
• Previous experience in a public school setting
• Experience working with students with similar needs
• Comfort with and ability to provide toileting, hygiene, and personal care assistance
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and assist students as needed
• Reliable transportation, and ability to travel to another site during the day
• 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 if needed
• Working with students of all ages and all caseloads and behaviors
• Working in both general education and special education settings, and in the community
• Staying calm and focused in a busy classroom
• Adjusting your caseload or school site based on district needs
• Working fully onsite and in person

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with behavior intervention plans and nonviolent crisis intervention
• Experience supporting students with disabilities in community settings
• Experience with adaptive equipment and student transportation
• 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
• 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 Candidates Choose This Role

• Gain hands-on experience in education and student support, in and outside the classroom
• Build experience for careers in teaching, special education, psychology, counseling, social work, and healthcare
• Follow a predictable school schedule, with weekends, evenings, holidays, and school breaks typically off
• Work alongside experienced teachers, therapists, and educational professionals
• Develop professional skills in instructional support, behavior management, and student engagement

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay of $21-$22 per hour
• Health and wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 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 stand and walk for extended periods, up to 4-6 hours per day
• Ability to sit for 2-4 hours during instruction or meetings
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and assist students as needed
• Ability to reach, grasp, bend, kneel, and handle classroom materials and equipment
• Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively with students and staff
• Ability to write, type, and use classroom tools and technology
• Ability to support students with physical needs or disabilities
• Emotional stamina to stay focused and regulated in a dynamic classroom
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful Paraprofessionals are patient, dependable, adaptable, and student-focused. They take initiative, follow classroom routines, collaborate effectively with school teams, and build positive relationships with students while keeping them safe.

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.