Paraprofessional

Hourly rate: $17.96–$20.42 per hour (2025–2026). Pay for 2026–2027 is under negotiation.

About the Role

Work within the school and community setting, under the direction of the classroom teacher, to maximize students' learning—academic, behavioral, functional, and social/emotional—and to foster student participation in all school-related activities.

Qualifications

• Professional Educator License with Stipulations issued by ISBE endorsed as paraprofessional (licensure requirements)
• At least 19 years of age
• One of the following:
  • Associate’s degree or higher
  • 60 semester hours of coursework
  • High School Diploma and passing score on the ACT Workkeys
• Some sign language ability and interest in improving signing skill (Signing Teaching Assistants only)
• Physical ability to be trained and perform physical management techniques with fidelity
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to obtain Illinois Secretary of State licensure to transport students within 3 months of hire (Southeast Alternative teacher assistants)

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assist students in their daily routines across all school and community settings
• Provide individual or small-group instruction under the teacher’s supervision
• Provide academic support at the student’s academic level
• Accompany students and provide academic and/or behavioral support in inclusion settings
• Communicate with students at the student’s level and according to the needs of the student
• Demonstrate a positive attitude toward students
• Assist students with bathroom/hygiene needs according to teacher request or needs of student; use appropriate sanitation during these activities
• Support individual student’s therapy program as directed by related services staff and/or classroom teacher, including data collection
• Provide active student supervision including but not limited to: bus duty, community outings, playground, lunchroom, and passing periods
• Follow through on behavioral programs including individual behavior intervention plans and crisis plans, including but not limited to: reinforcement, non-violent crisis intervention, data collection, modeling, and physical management
• Assist students onto and into transportation to and from school and during the school day, including buckling of seat belts and/or harnesses
• Demonstrate care for, correct use of, and maintenance of equipment, materials, and school property
• Assist students with the use and care of adaptive equipment
• Develop classroom materials including but not limited to cutting, typing, copying, laminating, utilizing proprietary software
• Assist in maintaining a clean, orderly learning environment
• Demonstrate commitment to the safety of students by maintaining a safe environment and knowledge of emergency procedures
• Work in a professional manner with all staff; SASED and district personnel
• Participate in specialized training as requested by the program administrator
• Participate as requested in team planning meetings or IEP meetings
• Ability to travel during the day to another SASED site
• Take appropriate initiative when no specific task is assigned
• Follow through with classroom teacher routines and procedures

Schedule

Up to 179-day work year.

Physical Requirements

• Standing/Walking: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 4–6 hours per day
• Sitting: Ability to sit for up to 2–4 hours during instruction or meetings
• Lifting/Carrying: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and assist students as needed
• Reaching/Grasping: Ability to reach, grasp, and handle materials and classroom equipment
• Bending/Stooping: Ability to bend or kneel to assist students and retrieve materials
• Vision/Hearing/Speaking: Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively with students and staff
• Dexterity: Ability to write, type, and use teaching tools and technology
• Student Assistance: Ability to support students with physical needs or disabilities
• Emotional Stamina: Ability to maintain focus and emotional regulation in a dynamic classroom environment

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.