Paraprofessional

Location: Longwood Elementary, 1309 W. 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60643

Reports To: Principal

Employee Type: Regular Full Time

Start Date: October 2026

Position Overview

A Distinctive Schools Paraprofessional serves as an advocate for the needs of the diverse learning population. Supporting and assisting teachers in fulfilling the academics and social‑emotional needs of students is a top priority. Under the supervision of the school‑based leadership team and in collaboration with special and general education teachers, the paraprofessional provides support to individual students in academics, functional performance, or physical assistance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a student‑centered perspective in decision making and believe that all students can learn and achieve great things.
• Celebrate student milestones, accomplishments, and growth toward their goals.
• Create a developmentally appropriate, positive, inclusive, equitable, and safe learning environment.
• Foster a culture of belonging through positive and professional relationships with colleagues, students, and families.
• Support the mission of the school and network.
• Deliver academic, behavioral, and functional skills instruction to assigned students in whole‑class, small‑group, and individual settings.
• Prepare materials and resources that support students’ learning goals.
• Carry out educational programs developed through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), using specific materials, methods, and modifications designed by special education staff.
• Implement individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs) as required.
• Collaborate with general and special education teachers to plan instruction for individual students.
• Maintain clear, professional communication between families, students, and teachers.
• Assist with record‑keeping of student needs, instructional programs, progress, forms, and files.
• Collect data to measure student growth using evidence‑based measures.
• Assist with toileting, feeding, lifting, or transferring students as needed.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, campus and network/regional meetings, and other learning opportunities.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma.
• Qualifications: Valid Illinois Paraprofessional License.
• Physical demands: Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; significant fine finger dexterity. Approximately 10 % sitting, 50 % walking, 40 % standing.

Benefits

• 25+ paid holidays, upfront sick leave, and an accrual‑based personal time bank.
• 12 weeks family paid leave.
• Comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, vision).
• 403(b) match – fully match up to 3 %; 50 % match up to 5 %.
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement.
• Gym and wellness discounts.
• Additional benefits.

Pay

Starting at $42,029, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Full‑time position.