Teaching Assistant

Nexus Family Healing; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexus Family Healing is hiring a full-time Teaching Assistant for the Grand Prairie School in Onarga, IL. The role involves educational assistance, student supervision, and collaboration with teachers to support daily classroom goals.

You will provide one-on-one instructional support, assist with attendance and progress records, and help maintain a safe, respectful learning environment while supporting treatment plans and IEPs for youth aged 10–20 in a therapeutic setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 21 years of age and a high school diploma or GED.
• Illinois ISBE Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement required or to be obtained prior to start date.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a DCFS background check.
• Ability to work with diverse youths in a therapeutic school setting.
• Willingness to meet the cultural needs of students and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one instructional support based on lesson plans.
• Assist with classroom management and maintain a safe, supportive learning environment.
• Deliver lessons in the teacher’s absence and help with attendance and progress records.
• Supervise study halls and classrooms, collaborating with teachers on goals.
• Support student treatment plans and IEPs, including client supervision and mentorship.

Skills

Paraprofessional experience

Student supervision

Professional communication

Education

High School diploma

ISBE Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement (ELS PARA)

Job description

Description

Nexus Family Healing is hiring full-time Teaching Assistants for Grand Prairie School at our Onarga, IL location!

Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is located approximately 30 miles south of Kankakee and 45 miles north of Champaign-Urbana, just a few miles off of I-57 on a historic site in Onarga, IL.

Nexus Onarga provides boys ages 10 to 20 years old a structured, homelike environment where they can safely address a variety of unhealthy behaviors and mental health issues as well as childhood trauma. Nexus Onarga youth attend our onsite private, therapeutic Grand Prairie School which offers special education with small classes for grades 5th-12th.

At Nexus Family Healing, we embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As a national mental health organization, we serve a diverse group of youth and families, and we strive for our workforce to support and represent that diversity.

Work Schedule & Salary:

• Salary starts at $17-$18 per hour based on prior years of experience as a Paraprofessional.
• Schedule: Monday-Friday 7a-3:30p with year-round school schedule
• Location: 110 N Locust St, Onarga, IL

Work Environment:

• Must be able to assist staff in physical and non-physical interventions with residents.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100+ pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2-4 hours).
• Must be able to twist, bend and stretch in a manner conducive to the execution of daily activities within a school.

The Teaching Assistant supports faculty in student learning and helps supervise students in both educational and residential settings.

Primary responsibilities:

Provide educational assistance to clients within a classroom setting.

• Provide one-on-one instructional support based on lesson plans.
• Communicate with students professionally and compassionately.
• Help maintain a safe, supportive learning environment.
• Deliver lessons and assist with assignments in the teacher’s absence.
• Prepare classroom materials and handouts.
• Assist with attendance and progress records.
• Supervise study halls and classrooms as needed.
• Collaborate with teachers to support classroom goals.
• Request classroom supplies as needed.
• Support student treatment plans and IEPs.

Provide client supervision and mentorship.

• Monitor student behavior, redirect as needed, and assist with restraints when necessary.
• Support student transport to and from residential units.
• Promote respect for diversity across all identities and backgrounds.
• Serve as a compassionate, respectful, and professional role model.
• Continuously build knowledge in child and adolescent development to support positive youth growth.

Ensure student resident safety and collaborate with co-workers to maintain an environment that is positive, respectful, clean, and safe.

• Ensure safety compliance across classrooms, school grounds, residential areas, and off-campus activities.
• Administer First Aid/CPR and follow emergency protocols.
• Maintain professional boundaries with student residents.
• Uphold privacy and confidentiality per Nexus policies.
• Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required by Nexus.
• Understand and support the Nexus philosophy and treatment modalities.

Requirements

Required Education and Licensure:

• Minimum 21 years of age
• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements.
• Must have an ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement (ELS PARA) or obtain upon hire prior to start date.
• Must successfully pass a DCFS criminal background check.
• All client-facing Nexus employees must successfully participate and complete a TCI exam and training.
• Must have the ability to build strong relationships with diverse individuals or communities and understand their unique needs and challenges.
• Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such as language, traditions, and values.

Preferred Experience:

• Previous classroom support experience.

At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions are focused on recognizing, affirming and respecting people of every race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression and faith. Our ICARE Values:

• Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches
• Compassion: Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern
• Agility: Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly
• Responsiveness: Being quick, positive, and accurate
• Excellence: Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards