Special Education Teaching Assistant

Indian Prairie Community Unit School District; United States; On-site; USD 48,264,216 - 53,404,041; Full time

Job summary

Indian Prairie Community Unit School District seeks a full-time paraprofessional to support students with learning and behavioral objectives under licensed teachers and therapists. The role involves promoting on-task learning, administering tests, and assisting with daily living skills.

You will collaborate in weekly teams, maintain records, and help with transportation logistics and safety in classrooms and common areas.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates will hold a valid Educator License with Stipulations (PARA), Substitute License, or Professional Educator License.
• Experience with special education students preferred.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English with students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Implement instructional plans as determined by teachers and therapists.
• Modify lessons to ensure learning objectives are met; prompt, cue and redirect students.
• Administer curriculum-based tests/quizzes.
• Ensure students have necessary materials and record assignments.
• Document curriculum presented and track progress toward IEP goals.
• Provide physical care and assist with daily living skills as needed.
• Observe and reinforce appropriate student behaviors; communicate progress to teachers.
• Participate in weekly team meetings to review progress and plan lessons.
• Assist with non-instructional activities and maintain safety in school areas.
• Escort students to buses/cars and manage transitions.
• Record updates on student progress toward IEP objectives.

Skills

English literacy

Basic math

Word/Excel

Confidentiality

Diversity awareness

Team player

Independence

Instructional support

Education

PARA license

Substitute license

Professional Educator License

Associate degree or higher

60 semester hours

High School Diploma/GED + ACT Workkeys

Tools

Word/Excel

Job description

Summary

Full-time position available (35 hours per week). Position start date: August 2026. Assist students with activities to maximize participation in learning and achievement of IEP objectives. Perform duties to work with assigned individuals or with groups of students to ensure students' learning and behavioral objectives are achieved, which may include the following:

Essential Job Functions

• Implement instructional plans as determined by licensed teachers and therapists.
• Apply lesson modifications as directed and supplement or change lesson modifications as needed to ensure that learning objectives are met. Prompt, cue and redirect students to keep on task.
• Administer curriculum-based tests/quizzes.
• Ensure students record assignments, have correct materials and completed assignments for class as appropriate for student needs.
• Take notes of curriculum presented during class as appropriate for student needs.
• Provide physical care as needed: diaper, toilet, feed, reinforce adaptive PE/motor activities per instructions from teacher and/or therapist(s); assist, as needed, with hygiene and independent living skills.
• Observe, document and reinforce appropriate student behaviors; communicate activities to teacher and facilitators.
• Participate in weekly team meeting to review student progress, plan upcoming lessons and participate in trainings.
• Assist with non-instructional activities.
• Assists in maintaining safety, behavior, decorum, and order in common areas including the lunchroom, playground, corridors, and other school facilities and on field trips.
• Retrieve students from busses or cars at the start of classes and escort students to appropriate busses or cars at end of classes when required.
• Record and update student's progress toward achievement of individual educational plan.

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

• Ability to read, write and speak English sufficient to communicate with students and staff and to assist students with instruction.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform basic arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel). Demonstrate proficiency using the technology and computerbased programs provided by the District. Use these programs to effectively manage and organize files, communication, records and databases.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and is sensitive to individual differences.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations and adapt in response to changing conditions.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to work independently, stay on-task, multi-task and take responsibility to complete assigned projects in a timely and efficient manner.

Physical Abilities

• Employee must be able to use physical ability to lift students and perform other manipulations to diaper, toilet, feed, dress and assist students with other daily living skills.
• Employee is regularly required to see, speak and hear; frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb, climb stairs or balance, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee must be able to push, pull, lift or carry up to 50 lbs.

Education/Certifications/Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a valid Educator License with Stipulations (PARA), Substitute License, or Professional Educator License, and experience with special education students preferred.

Educator License with Stipulations (PARA) can be obtained by one of the following ways and applicants MUST submit their documentation to the DuPage Regional Office of Education in order for consideration:

• At least 19 years of age
• One of the Following:
  • Associate's degree or higher
  • 60 semester hours of coursework
  • High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro
  • High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT Workkeys:
    • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)
    • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

Equipment

• Use general office equipment.
• Use personal computers.
• May need to operate adaptive equipment.

Work Environment

Work in standard school building environment. Work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

Travel Requirements

Travel between schools may be required.

Supervisor: Building Principal and/or designee

Work Calendar: 5200

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Category: Classified

Rate of pay: $19.25-$21.30/hour

Benefits: Benefits as described in IPCA contract can be found here: IPCA Contract 2026-30

Selection Procedure: Qualified candidates will be contacted by the appropriate building administrator.