Paraprofessional

The Stepping Stones Group; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Professional development

Continuing education

Referral bonus

Career growth

Meaningful work

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is hiring Paraprofessionals for the 2026-2027 school year in the United States (Illinois, Rockford area). Roles include standard classroom assignments and strategic substitutes across K-12 general and special education settings.

Pay is $22–$23 per hour, with school-day hours and up to ~32 hours weekly. Positions are W-2, onsite, with immediate start through the 2026-27 school year.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Behavioral or special education experience preferred.
• State paraprofessional certification required (short-term or long-term).
• Ability to complete district fingerprinting and required forms.
• Reliable transportation.
• Open to substitute assignments and travel between schools.
• Ability to accept an offer within 48 hours.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Authorization to work in the United States; English proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1, 2:1, and classroom-wide support, or cover classrooms as a strategic substitute.
• Reinforce teacher-led lessons, activities, and routines.
• Provide emotional and general academic support, including help with assignments.
• Deliver behavioral support and use proactive strategies and positive reinforcement.
• Assist students with daily needs such as mobility, feeding, toileting, and diapering.
• Collect and document data as directed by teachers and school teams.
• Support implementation of IEP accommodations and behavior plans.
• Assist during transitions, arrival, dismissal, lunch, and recess.
• Collaborate with teachers, special education staff, therapists, and administrators.
• Travel between school sites when serving as a substitute.

Skills

Behavioral support experience

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in education or related field

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group
Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based Paraprofessional | Strategic Substitute and Standard Assignments | K-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 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 openings.

Some roles are standard assignments in one classroom. Others are strategic substitute roles, where you move between schools during the week to cover classrooms where students need support. Either way, you'll work with teachers and special education staff to provide 1:1, 2:1, or classroom support.

• Pay: $22-$23 per hour
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, school-day hours, up to about 32 hours per week (up to 6 hours per day plus a 30-minute unpaid break). Hours vary by assignment, and strategic substitutes may not have an assignment every day.
• Setting: Onsite, K-12, 1:1, 2:1, and classroom support in general education and special education settings
• Sites: Strategic substitutes travel to different schools during the week
• 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

• Provide 1:1, 2:1, and classroom-wide support, or cover classrooms as a strategic substitute
• Reinforce teacher-led lessons, instructional activities, and classroom routines
• Provide emotional support and general academic support, including help with assignments
• Provide behavioral support and intervention, and use positive reinforcement and proactive strategies
• Support students with daily needs, which may include mobility, feeding, toileting, and diapering
• Collect and document data as directed by the teacher and school team
• Support implementation of IEP accommodations and behavior plans as directed
• Assist students during transitions, arrival, dismissal, lunch, and recess as assigned
• Collaborate with teachers, special education staff, therapists, and administrators
• Travel between school sites during the week if you're a substitute
• Maintain accurate documentation and student records, and maintain confidentiality
• Help maintain a safe, structured, positive, and inclusive learning environment

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Behavioral or special education experience
• State paraprofessional certification (short-term or long-term), in hand
• Ability to complete district fingerprinting and required forms
• Reliable transportation
• Openness to substitute assignments and travel between school sites, if you take a strategic sub role
• Ability to accept an offer within 48 hours
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and positive working relationships
• Authorization to work in the United States; English proficiency

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:

• Working as a strategic substitute for the remainder of the school year, reporting to different schools during the week
• 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 in both general education and special education settings
• Working with students of all ages and all caseloads
• Adjusting your caseload or school site based on district needs
• Working fully onsite and in person

Preferred Qualifications

• School-based or special education 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, Substitute Paraprofessional, Instructional Aide, Teacher Assistant, Educational Assistant, Classroom Aide, Special Education Assistant, Behavior Technician, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), 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 across different schools and classrooms
• 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
• Move quickly: no district interview is required
• Develop professional skills in instructional support, behavior management, and student engagement

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay of $22-$23 per hour
• Health and wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401(k) 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 lift, move, or assist safely
• Ability to respond quickly to student needs and classroom situations
• Ability to assist students with mobility, toileting, and daily living activities, if needed
• Additional requirements may vary by assignment

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful Paraprofessionals are patient, dependable, adaptable, and student-focused. They adjust quickly to new classrooms and schools, collaborate effectively with school teams, build positive relationships with students, and create supportive learning environments that promote confidence, independence, and success.

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.