High School Paraprofessional

The position is for the 26-27 school year across multiple Connect Academy campuses, including:

• Carol Stream: PreK-8 building serving students with challenging, sometimes aggressive behaviors.
• Addison: High School campus.
• Lombard: PreK-3 students with autism who are nonverbal/minimally verbal, serving as a bridge to public elementary school.
• ReConnect: Alternative setting for general education students, often in lieu of expulsion.

All campuses provide comprehensive therapeutic services to address social-emotional and functional needs, supporting access to learning alongside standards-based academics.

Responsibilities

• Help develop knowledge and skills, nurture confidence and character, and meet the needs of all students using Connect Academy instructional models, strategies, and curriculum under teacher guidance.
• Assist students with educational and emotional needs.
• Supervise small group and individual student learning activities in classroom and therapeutic settings.
• Support the implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and consistently apply de-escalation techniques, behavior strategies, and reinforcement systems under staff direction.
• Assist the teacher in applying remediation for diagnosed learning problems and help students during testing and assessment activities.
• Apply intervention and prevention strategies to facilitate student engagement, self-regulation, and achievement.
• Tutor individual students or small groups as directed.
• Collect and record academic, behavioral, and social-emotional data to monitor progress toward IEP and behavior goals, under teacher direction.
• Collaborate and consult with teachers, related service providers, and administrative teams on instructional approaches, student regulation strategies, and classroom management techniques.
• Maintain student safety at all times, including during transitions, breaks, and potential behavioral escalations; participate in physical management procedures (such as CPI holds) when trained and necessary.
• Build positive, supportive relationships with students while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Participate in regular staff meetings, training, and professional development focused on trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and special education best practices.
• Perform clerical work relevant to assigned students as requested by the supervising teacher or administrator.
• Step in as a substitute teacher when needed, leading lessons, managing classroom behavior, and ensuring continuity of instruction and care in the teacher’s absence.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Meets the requirements of the State of Illinois for a Paraprofessional license.
• Positive interpersonal and effective relational skills.
• Knowledge of computers and ability to learn new systems.
• Willingness to assist students in a variety of situations, including lifting, walking, and stairs.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Pay

From $42,000.00 per year

Schedule

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Qualifications

• Paraprofessional Certification (Required)
• Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Work Location: In person