Special Education Teaching Assistant

Generalasp; Oak Park (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is seeking a Special Education Teaching Assistant to support students and teachers in the classroom. Responsibilities include supervising students, implementing prescribed programs, maintaining records, and using instructional tools to support the educational program.

The role emphasizes equity and inclusion, requires a High School Diploma (Associate's degree preferred), and involves assisting with daily activities, behavior support, and collaboration with

Qualifications

• High school diploma is required, with Associate's degree preferred.
• Ability to lift students and assist with daily activities.
• Ability to work with students individually or in groups.
• Ability to follow behaviors and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong communication with staff, students, and families.

Responsibilities

• Assist with a balanced program of instruction and activities.
• Reinforce information and instructions after lessons.
• Work with students individually or in small groups.
• Implement behavior modification plans as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students.
• Maintain positive relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Observe and record student progress.
• Assist during recess, lunch, and bus routines.
• Support the classroom teacher in daily activities.
• Support students with academic needs and behaviors.

Skills

Lift students

Professional communication

Collaborative work

Understanding diverse student needs

Operate instructional equipment

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree (preferred)

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - Oak Park Elementary School District 97

Openings as of 10/4/2026
We are only accepting applications for the jobs listed below.

Special Education Teaching Assistant JobID: 3261

• Position Type: Support Staff/ Teacher Assistant

Insurance: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available

D97 Ideal Team Member Profile

• The ideal team member in District 97 is a visionary and equity-centered leader who inspires excellence and fosters collective responsibility for student success. This individual:
  • Champions the district's vision and drives forward-thinking, innovative practices that anticipate future educational needs.
  • Stewards public trust and resources with fiscal responsibility and ethical transparency.
  • Demonstrates relentless commitment to student success, ensuring that every decision supports equitable opportunities and outcomes for all learners.
  • Organizes and empowers teams to work collaboratively toward shared goals, recognizing the interdependence of roles across departments and schools.
  • Fosters a culture of care, learning, and service, grounded in authentic engagement with students, families, staff, and community members.
  • Models integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality, serving as a role model for ethical and respectful conduct at all levels.
  • Thrives in a culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse environment, showing a deep passion for inclusive practices and building belonging for all team members.
  • Seeks and embraces feedback, especially when it challenges them to grow and improve in service of students and colleagues.
  • Understands the powerful intersection of leadership, learning, and equity, and aligns their work to dismantle systemic barriers.
  • Courageously addresses unprofessional behavior, holding self and others accountable to high standards in service to the community and students.

About the Role

The Special Education Teacher Assistant position supports student learning by providing support to the student(s) and teacher in the classroom with the specific responsibility of assisting with the supervision of students, the implementation of prescribed programs, the maintenance of records, and the use of various instructional tools in support of the educational program/the teacher's identified lesson. As a key member of the district's the teacher assistant position will interact with and respond to students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members in ways that demonstrates their alignment and agreement with the district's equity commitments. The special education teacher assistant position will ensure that equity is at the center of the district's teacher assistant services to positively impact student learning and employee practices as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with providing a variety of activities for a balanced program of instruction, giving student opportunity to observe, question and investigate.
• Reinforce information and instructions following a lesson.
• Work with student individually or in small groups in academic studies, basic life skills and other assigned instruction.
• Implement behavior modification plans and procedures designed for individual students when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students.
• Maintain positive relationships with all students, school staff and parents.
• Observe and record student's progress.
• Assist the individual student during activities including recess, lunch and getting student safely on and off the bus.
• Assist the classroom teacher and student in daily activities
• Assist student with academic needs.
• Under the direction of the teacher, maintain student behavior by utilizing behavior management strategies

Content Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to lift students is required
• Ability to work and communicate with students in an appropriate professional manner required
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Demonstrate knowledge of students' needs, including but not limited to: educational, medical, physical, sensory, speech/language, social/emotional, recreational, vocational, etc., as established by the teacher.
• Operate all equipment related to support of teacher and/or student needs: copy machine, computers, assistive technology, related OT and PT devices, other items as required

Candidate Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, minimum
• Associate's Degree, preferred

This position requires the performance of light workwhich requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking, climbing stairs and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity. The job is performed in non-hazardous environments and a clean atmosphere. The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The mental demands, physical demands, and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Need Help?

We're here to help! For questions regarding position qualifications or application procedures, please contact District 97 directly.

For technical questions regarding the Applicant Tracking system, please contact the Applicant Tracking help desk using the Request Technical Help link below.