Special Education Paraprofessional: Student Support in Class

MCLEAN COUNTY UNIT DISTRICT #5; Normal (IL); On-site; Full time

Job description

Job Description

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 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

• Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers in order to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations as needed.
• Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role‑playing methods.
• Establish a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serve as a resource person to the student personnel evaluation team when requested.
• Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Conduct demonstrations to teach skills such as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
• Distribute teaching materials such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils to students.
• Distribute tests and homework assignments and collect them when completed.
• Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
• Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
• Complete required reports in a timely manner.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
• Work with students with multiple physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.
• Be familiar with and use adaptive equipment including communication equipment, wheelchairs, adaptive feeding tools, etc.
• Assist students with self‑care, hygiene, and feeding as necessary.
• May be required to perform tasks that students cannot do, e.g., taking notes, handling materials, holding books.
• May work with or handle resistant students.
• Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as expected of fully licensed teachers.
• Assist the classroom teacher with other tasks necessary to maintain a professional and positive classroom environment, and perform other teacher aide duties as 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.
• Must be able 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.