Teaching Assistant, Special Education

The Baby Fold; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation and Sick Time

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

$1,000 sign-on bonus for external applicants

Long Term Disability

Short Term Disability

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Account

Paid Vacation

Personal Time

Sick Time

Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Headspace Care

Paytient

Candidly

Mentorship & Development

Job summary

A dedicated educational institution in Bloomington, IL, is seeking a Special Education Teacher Assistant. This role involves supporting students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, implementing trauma-informed practices, and assisting in educational instruction. Candidates should possess a bachelor's degree, a valid driver's license, and ideally a substitute teaching license. This full-time position offers a supportive environment and a chance to grow professionally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in education.
• Valid Driver's license with adequate insurance.
• Substitute Teaching license preferred or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Assist Lead Teacher in providing education and behavioral programs.
• Implement trauma-informed practices in classroom environment.
• Plan and implement curriculum meeting students' needs.
• Collect and report on student progress and performance.
• Develop and implement lesson plans with input from Teacher Therapist.

Skills

Behavioral Crisis Intervention

Social Skills Training

Educational Instruction

Data Collection and Reporting

Lesson Planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Education or Related Field

Job description

The Baby Fold has been successfully wrapping services around children and families since 1902, offering life-critical support such as foster care, special education, early childhood programming, and post‑adoption support. The Baby Fold is a unique resources with a strong and enduring heritage. We care for our youngest citizens so they can be blessed with loving homes, stable lives, and the futures they deserve.

Currently $1,000 sign‑on bonus for external applicants*

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Life & Long Term Disability
• Short Term Disability
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Plan
• Paid Vacation, Personal time, Sick time, and Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Headspace Care - coaching, therapy, & psychiatry
• Paytient - line of credit for medical, mental health, & veterinary services
• Candidly - student loan navigation support
• Mentorship, advancement, and professional development opportunities

WORK HOURS

Full‑time, 37.5 hours/week, generally 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, following the school calendar; shorter days until 2:30 PM for Extended School Year hours (summer school) with full time pay. Lunch meals provided during school days.

LOCATION

Hammitt School on Willow, 108 E Willow St, or Hammitt School on Oglesby, 612 Oglesby, Normal, IL

BASIC FUNCTION

The Special Education Teacher Assistant assists the Lead Teacher and other classroom/support staff in providing a comprehensive, trauma‑informed education and behavioral program for students with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities and/or autism. Classroom assignments may vary based on program needs to include academic, physical education, fine arts, and/or technology settings.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHING ASSISTANT

• Behavioral and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention: Incorporates trauma‑informed practices to create a positive and safe educational environment for students and promote individual learning, growth, and development. Implements the clinical behavioral treatment program according to guidelines, including individualized programming and crisis intervention. Implements the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) program to de‑escalate potential and/or actual crises according to guidelines.
• Social Skills Training: Implements social skills training and integrates social skills curriculum throughout the day.
• Educational Instruction: Under the direction of the Teacher Therapist, plans, coordinates, evaluates, and implements a comprehensive curriculum which meets the individualized behavioral, academic and social needs of each student enrolled in the classroom and which is directly related to each child’s Individualized Educational Plan. Provides classroom instruction under the direction of certified teaching staff.
• Data Collection and Progress Reporting: Under the direction of the Teacher Therapist, collects, prepares and presents behavioral and academic data on each child in the classroom. Assesses student performance levels (behavioral and academic) and recommends appropriate goals and objectives in the IEP staffing process.
• Lesson Plans: Under the direction of the Teacher Therapist, develops and implements lesson plans that reflect best practice in specialized educational instruction.

NEW!: Opportunity to grow with us and earn your LBS-1 Teaching Certification, tuition free, through our HomeGrown program!!

Statement of Inclusion

The Baby Fold is committed to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion, where each individual feels empowered and where our differences are celebrated. We encourage each other to engage in meaningful conversations, seek out different perspectives, and continually work to cultivate an environment where all ideas are valued.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field strongly preferred.
• Valid Driver's license with adequate car insurance and driving record.
• Substitute Teaching license preferred, or ability to obtain upon hire