Paraprofessional/Food Handler

Hourly rate: $17.96 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)
• Food Handler Certification or ability to obtain it

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.