Special Education Teaching Assistant

Anova Education; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A local school district is seeking a Special Education Teaching Assistant to work under the supervision of a special education teacher. Responsibilities include assisting students, adapting academic programming, and ensuring a safe classroom environment. Candidates must have 60 college credit hours or relevant skill assessments. This position offers opportunities for additional compensation beyond the regular school year.

Qualifications

• Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by the ISBE.
• Two years of school-based experience is preferred.
• Should be able to work with students with behavior or learning problems.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance to students to help develop their independence.
• Assist in carrying out lessons to students as arranged by the teacher.
• Monitor student needs and behaviors during lunch and classes.
• Provide for basic needs and supervise transitions as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and an orderly classroom environment.
• Record data monitoring academic and behavior progress.
• Participate in staff meetings as assigned.
• Assist with preparation, clerical tasks, and supervision on various activities.

Skills

Highly organized

Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Excellent problem-solver

Ability to work under pressure

Ability to work under pressure

Education

60 hours of college credit or passing scores on a Work Keys Basic Skills

Job description

Overview

Urbana School District #116

TITLE: Special Education Teaching Assistant

LOCATION: Urbana Middle School

SUPERVISOR: Executive Director for Student Services, Assistant Director of Student Services, Special Education Administrator, and/or Building Administration

JOB SUMMARY: The Special Education Teaching Assistant works under the direct supervision of the special education teacher and under the broad supervision of the building principal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Provide assistance to students to help develop their independence.
• Assist in carrying out lessons to students as arranged by the teacher, including working with students on an individual or small group basis.
• Adapt and accommodate students’ academic programming in general education classes as developed by the special education teacher.
• Follow each student’s individual behavioral plan as well as the classroom behavior management plan.
• Provide for special needs of individual students, including lifting, hygiene, and restroom assistance if necessary.
• Assist the teacher in maintaining a functional, attractive, orderly environment conducive to student learning.
• Assist the special education teacher in clerical tasks, computer work, arts and crafts preparation, playground supervision, housecleaning duties, and bus loading and unloading.
• Promote and model responsible, respectful, and safe behaviors.
• Promote and model appropriate social interactions with and between students.
• Maintain the classroom routine when the teacher is not present.
• Provide programs for students off School property if requested. (These may include, but are not limited to, field trips and vocational and aquatic center activities.)
• Record and compile data monitoring academic and behavior programming.
• Participate in staff team/collaboration meetings as assigned.
• Perform all other duties and tasks assigned from time to time by the special education teacher as it relates to individual students or the classroom.
• Monitor student needs and behaviors during lunch, going to and from all classes, and at all times.
• Report any unusual student behaviors to the teacher or administrator.
• Maintain strict standards of student and family confidentiality.
• Use appropriate Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques, including de-escalation strategies and therapeutic restraint methods, when students are in danger of harming themselves or others.
• Become certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training and maintain current certification.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by the ISBE to obtain a Paraprofessional License: 60 hours of college credit or passing scores on a Work Keys Basic Skills

EXPERIENCE

• Two years of school-based experience is preferred

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Highly organized
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Excellent problem-solver
• Should be able to work with students with a history of behavior or learning problems
• Proven to work under pressure and can prioritize multiple tasks

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Student Contact Days and other days stipulated on the work calendar in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
• Salary and Benefit information can be found on the Human Resources webpage. There are many opportunities for employees to earn additional compensation (stipends, differentials, extra duty pay, etc.) during the regular school year and in the summer.
• This is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.
• This is a non-exempt position.

EVALUATION

This will be completed by the principal with input from the special education teacher.

START DATE

School Year 2025-2026

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED: January 2025