Special Ed Classroom Assist (Learning Disabilities)

Chicago Public Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools seeks a Special Education Classroom Assistant to support teachers in elementary and high schools, reinforcing learning for students with various disabilities and assisting with daily living skills per IEP.

You may accompany students on field trips, provide one-on-one tutoring, and help with personal care and documentation. Strong communication skills and CPR training are preferred; a paraprofessional license is required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of characteristics of students with various disabilities.
• Good command of English grammar and spelling.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and maintain basic written reports.
• CPR training is highly desirable and can be obtained after employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in reinforcing learning concepts for students with disabilities per IEP.
• Provide one-on-one tutoring and personal hygiene assistance as needed.
• Assist with daily living skills and use of equipment for mobility.
• Take notes and help maintain records of student behavior and performance.
• accompany students and teachers on class trips and participate in training.

Skills

Disability knowledge

Communication skills

CPR training desirable

English grammar basics

Education

TASN paraprofessional license (ISBE)

Job description

CLASS TITLE

Special Education Classroom Assistant

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS

Under the general direction of the school principal, and under the immediate supervision of a Special Education teacher holding a valid teaching certificate directly engaged in teaching subject matter or conducting activities, assists in the instruction of disabled students; and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assists Special Education teachers in elementary and high schools in reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities, including physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional impairments, and mental impairments in accordance with each students’ Individual Education Program (IEP); lifts and positions non-ambulatory students during the school day as instructed by the teacher and in adherence to written instruction from students’ personal physicians; provides one-on-one tutoring services for students to present or reinforce learning concepts; provides one-on-one personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning soiled children regardless of age; assists students with orthopedic impairments by arranging and adjusting tools, work aids, and equipment used by students in classrooms, including but not limited to specially equipped worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners; assists teacher in instructing students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency; accompanies students to swimming pools and medical clinics to assist in removing clothing and performing other personal services which students are unable to perform themselves; assists in feeding students unable to do so themselves; takes notes in classrooms for students unable to do so themselves; corrects homework assignments and examination materials; assists teachers in maintaining written records of students’ behavior; accompanies students and teachers on class field trips; attends and participates in workshops and in service training to update job related skills.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

May utilize aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students, may administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as directed by the teacher, may operate audio-visual equipment, may operate photocopying equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Certification Requirements. Must possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which may be applied for and obtained after the successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of college credit at a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or successful completion of a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro). Also refer to:

• Illinois State Board of Education
• Educator License Application
• Work Keys
• Paraprofessional Assessment

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skill.

• Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities, good knowledge of English grammar and spelling, good knowledge of basic mathematics.

Ability to work with and for students with various disabilities, ages birth to twenty-one (21) years of age; ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction; ability to complete and maintain basic written reports. (Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly desirable. Individuals who do not provide evidence of the completion of training in CPR at the time of initial employment in this class title will complete CPR training as a condition of employment.)

Good oral and written communication skills, skill in the operation of photocopying and audio-visual equipment is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

Medium Work: Exerting up to fifty (50) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to twenty (20) pounds of force frequently, and/or to ten (10) pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands include the ability to reach, handle, and finger objects; talk and hear; occasional use of near visual acuity and frequent use of far visual acuity.

Benefits

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS Is Committed To Providing Comprehensive Health Coverage To Our Employees And Their Eligible Dependents. You'll Have Access To a Variety Of Choices To Best Fit Your Needs.

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Posting Date

Sep 9, 2026, 12:00:00 AM

Primary Location

Far South Side-250 East 111th Street (Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep)

Salary Range

$41,766.58 to $60,584.36

CLASS TITLE

Special Education Classroom Assistant

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS

Under the general direction of the school principal, and under the immediate supervision of a Special Education teacher holding a valid teaching certificate directly engaged in teaching subject matter or conducting activities, assists in the instruction of disabled students; and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assists Special Education teachers in elementary and high schools in reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities, including physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional impairments, and mental impairments in accordance with each students’ Individual Education Program (IEP); lifts and positions non-ambulatory students during the school day as instructed by the teacher and in adherence to written instruction from students’ personal physicians; provides one-on-one tutoring services for students to present or reinforce learning concepts; provides one-on-one personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning soiled children regardless of age; assists students with orthopedic impairments by arranging and adjusting tools, work aids, and equipment used by students in classrooms, including but not limited to specially equipped worktables, positioning equipment, wheelchairs, tape recorders, computers, communication devices, and mechanized page turners; assists teacher in instructing students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency; accompanies students to swimming pools and medical clinics to assist in removing clothing and performing other personal services which students are unable to perform themselves; assists in feeding students unable to do so themselves; takes notes in classrooms for students unable to do so themselves; corrects homework assignments and examination materials; assists teachers in maintaining written records of students’ behavior; accompanies students and teachers on class field trips; attends and participates in workshops and in service training to update job related skills.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

May utilize aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students, may administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as directed by the teacher, may operate audio-visual equipment, may operate photocopying equipment.

Requirements

Certification Requirements. Must possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which may be applied for and obtained after the successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of college credit at a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or successful completion of a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro). Also refer to:

• Illinois State Board of Education
• Educator License Application
• Work Keys
• Paraprofessional Assessment

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skill.

• Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities, good knowledge of English grammar and spelling, good knowledge of basic mathematics.

Ability to work with and for students with various disabilities, ages birth to twenty-one (21) years of age; ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction; ability to complete and maintain basic written reports. (Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly desirable. Individuals who do not provide evidence of the completion of training in CPR at the time of initial employment in this class title will complete CPR training as a condition of employment.)

Good oral and written communication skills, skill in the operation of photocopying and audio-visual equipment is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

Medium Work: Exerting up to fifty (50) pounds of force occasionally, and/or to twenty (20) pounds of force frequently, and/or to ten (10) pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands include the ability to reach, handle, and finger objects; talk and hear; occasional use of near visual acuity and frequent use of far visual acuity.