Special Education Teaching Assistant

Thomas Paine Elementary School; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 37,000; Part time

Job summary

Thomas Paine Elementary School in Urbana, IL is seeking a Special Education Teaching Assistant to work under the supervision of the special education teacher and school administration. This role focuses on supporting students with special needs in general education and targeted small-group settings.

The position requires ISBE paraprofessional licensure (60 college credits or Work Keys) and typically involves a 6.5-hour day.

Qualifications

• Must meet ISBE Paraprofessional License requirements (60 college credits or Work Keys Basic Skills)
• Two years of school-based experience preferred
• ISBE paraprofessional license required and strong organization

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing lessons and supporting students in small groups
• Follow individual behavioral plans and classroom behavior management
• Maintain an orderly, supportive learning environment
• Support the teacher with clerical tasks and supervision
• Record and monitor student progress and data

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Problem solving

Behavior support

Prioritization

Education

Paraprofessional License

Job description

Urbana School District #116 Thomas Paine Elementary School - Urbana, Illinois Open in Google Maps

Special Education Teaching Assistant

Urbana School District #116 Thomas Paine Elementary School - Urbana, Illinois Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Urbana School District #116

Job Details

Job ID: 5872764

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 05, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Urbana School District #116

TITLE: Special Education Teaching Assistant

LOCATION: Thomas Paine Elementary 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.
• 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 TCI 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.
• Provide for special needs of individual students, including lifting, hygiene, medical needs, and restroom assistance if necessary.
• Provide other duties as assigned.

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 2026-2027

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED: January 2025

Position Type: 6.5 Hours Per Day

Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Special Education > Special Education Assistant

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required