Paraprofessional (Instructional)

About the role

Provide the necessary skills and knowledge to support students and classroom teachers within the classrooms of the Illini Bluffs School District.

Responsibilities

• Aid classroom teacher as required and needed.
• Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations as needed.
• Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods.
• Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
• Distribute teaching materials such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils to students.
• Distribute tests and homework assignments, and collect them when completed.
• Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
• Work with students with multiple physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.
• Use adaptive equipment including communication devices, wheelchairs, and adaptive feeding tools.
• Assist students with self-care, hygiene, and feeding as necessary.
• Perform tasks that students are not able to do, such as taking notes, handling materials, or holding books.
• Work with or handle resistive students.
• Maintain a positive attitude with all personnel to promote a positive school climate.
• Maintain the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as expected of fully licensed teachers.
• Assist with the supervision of students during non-instructional times, including emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, and field trips.
• Maintain work area and classroom as a safe and productive learning environment.
• Alert the classroom teacher to any problem or special information about an individual student.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Continuously strive to improve professional competence and collaboration with colleagues and communities.
• Implement all rules, regulations, policies, and administrative guidelines adopted by the School Board for the district.
• Maintain a professional appearance and regular attendance.
• Adhere to the professional code of conduct.
• Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Assist the classroom teacher in other tasks necessary to maintain a professional and positive classroom environment.
• Perform other teacher aide duties as assigned by the classroom teacher, administration, or Board of Education.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid State of Illinois Paraprofessional Certification.
• Experience related to classroom preferred.
• Associate's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or completed 60 semester hours of college credit at a regionally accredited institution; or HS Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro; or HS Diploma or GED and passing scores on the ACT Workkeys.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills to work with teachers, education support personnel, building administrators, and the general public.
• Enforce school regulations and policies in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and pupils.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to push/pull up to 10 lbs.
• Must be detail-oriented.

Schedule

The work year is established by the school board annually in accordance with state law, and workday requirements coincide with the number of student attendance days.

Pay

Starting pay: $17.50 per hour (previous experience a plus and to be considered).

Bonus: $400 ($150 after 60 days from hire date, $250 on 1-year anniversary). Additional $150 retention bonus if remain employed.

Benefits

• Health and dental insurance: The school board pays 90% of the premium for single coverage and 80% of the premium for dependents.
• IMRF Pension.
• 12 paid sick days per year.
• 3 paid personal days per year.