Special Education Teaching Assistant - Early Childhood 1.0 (T-F Full Day)

2026-2027 School Year – 6.5 hours/day, 178 work days/year

Pay

Hourly rate determined by CEA collective bargaining agreement.

• Starting base hourly rate (Grade LTA): $17.23
• Additional $2.00/hour if assigned to a high-needs classroom: $19.23
• Additional $4.00/hour if assigned to a high-needs classroom and completion of a 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training program through Relias Academy: $23.23

Training information: Relias Academy RBT Series

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield HM0 80/20 cost share
• Dental Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield 80/20 cost share
• Vision Insurance: VSP 100% employee cost

About the role

The Special Education Teaching Assistant assists teachers in meeting the needs of special education students. The primary focus is to assist and enhance the educational process of students with disabilities in both instructional and non-instructional activities.

Requirements

The State of Illinois requires Special Education Teaching Assistants to hold one of the following:

• Current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
• Current Illinois Substitute Teaching License
• Current Illinois Educator License with Stipulations Endorsed-Paraprofessional Educator
• Short-Term Approval (STA) – Paraprofessional (minimum age 19, high-school diploma or equivalent, $50 application fee)

If you do not already hold a teaching/substitute license, you may qualify by:

• Associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
• 60 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution
• High school diploma or equivalent + 480 or higher on the ETS Parapro test
• High school diploma or equivalent + 4 or higher on the ACT WorkKeys Applied Math and Workplace Documents

For licensure questions, contact: DuPage Regional Office of Education, Licensure Division, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, 630-407-5800, cert@dupageroe.org

Responsibilities

• Assist with providing a variety of activities for a balanced program of instruction, giving students opportunity to observe, question, and investigate
• Reinforce information and instructions following a lesson
• Work with students individually or in small groups in academic studies, basic life skills, and other assigned instruction
• Implement behavior modification plans and procedures designed for individual students when necessary
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students
• Maintain positive relationships with all students, school staff, and parents
• Observe and record student's progress
• Assist individual or groups of students during activities including recess, lunch, and getting children safely on and off buses
• Assist with hygiene and toileting activities, which might include transferring and lifting students
• Sanitize classroom and equipment using approved materials

Skills

• Ability to work effectively with children
• Ability to function within the framework of the school environment
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Working knowledge of computers and basic programs
• Child guidance principles and practices
• Behavior management and positive reinforcement
• Classroom procedures and appropriate conduct
• Basic record-keeping methods

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and run
• Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 100 lbs, such as lifting a child from the floor
• Must be able to push/pull items up to 80 lbs, such as children in wheelchairs

Work Environment

• Potential exposure to communicable disease and contact with blood and other body fluids
• Potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior