Special Education - Paraprofessional (2 Positions)

MCLEAN COUNTY UNIT DISTRICT #5; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 26,835 - 30,858; Part time

Job summary

MCLEAN COUNTY UNIT DISTRICT #5 is seeking a SPED para to support students with learning disabilities, autism, or mild behaviors in a general education classroom.

This role involves preparing materials, assisting with self-care, and maintaining student confidentiality. Candidates must possess a relevant educator license and demonstrate strong communication skills. The position offers a starting pay range of $19.48 - $22.40 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills to work with teachers and administrators.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and pupils.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Discusses assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate efforts.
• Prepares lesson materials and assists in maintaining a professional classroom.
• Teaches socially acceptable behavior and uses positive reinforcement.

Skills

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Relationship building

Education

Registered license with Regional Office of Education #17

Educator license with stipulations for paraprofessional

Job description

Job Description

McLean County Unit District No. 5

Position Title: SPED- para (2 Positions)

Location: Colene Hoose ES

Department: Building Personnel

Reports to: Principal/Assistant Principal

FLSA Class: Non-Exempt

FTE: 1.0

Summary: This position is responsible for working closely with students in a general education classroom with students with learning disabilities, autism, or mild behaviors on a regular basis in an effort to provide them with the support they need to gain full benefit from the District's special education program.

Duties

• Discusses assigned duties with classroom teachers in order to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Prepares lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations as needed.
• Presents subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role‑playing methods.
• Establishes, as fully as possible, a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the student personnel evaluation team conferring about one of the students to whom assigned.
• Supervises students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Conducts demonstrations to teach such skills as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
• Distributes teaching materials such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils to students.
• Distributes tests and homework assignments, and collects them when they are completed.
• Enforces administration policies and rules governing students.
• Grades homework and tests, and computes and records results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
• Completes required reports in a timely manner.
• Teaches socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
• Works with students with multiple physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.
• Is familiar with and uses adaptive equipment including communication equipment, wheelchairs, and adaptive feeding tools.
• Assists students with self‑care, hygiene, and feeding as necessary.
• May be required to perform tasks that students are not able to do, i.e. taking notes, handling materials, holding books, etc.
• May work with/handle resistive students.
• Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of fully licensed teachers.
• Assists the classroom teacher in other tasks necessary in maintaining a professional and positive classroom environment, and performs other teacher aide duties as may be assigned by the classroom teacher, administration or Board of Education.

Qualifications

• Must have a registered license with the Regional Office of Education #17 at the time of hire.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills to work with teachers, education support personnel, building administrators and the general public.
• Enforce school regulations and policies in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and pupils.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Requires employee to have the ability to push/pull up to 10 lbs.
• Must be detail‑oriented.

Certification

Must possess an educator license with stipulations endorsed for paraprofessional educator or professional educator license at the time of hire.

Compensation

Per the 2026-2027 Teaching Assistant Salary Schedule, the starting pay range is $19.48 - $22.40 per hour and is based upon experience.