Special Education Teaching Assistant- High School

Hours/Day

Hours per day: 6.5 (full-time)

Work days per year: 178

Hourly rate: Determined by CEA collective bargaining agreement.

Pay

Starting Hourly Rate: Grade LTA, $17.23 base hourly rate

Starting Hourly Rate (if assigned to a high needs classroom): $19.23

Starting Hourly Rate (if assigned to a high needs classroom and completion of a 40-hour training program for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) through Relias Academy): $23.23

Training information can be found at Relias Academy.

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

Qualifications

• Licensure: The State of Illinois requires Special Education Teaching Assistants to have one of the following:
• - Current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
• - Current Illinois Substitute Teaching License
• - Current Illinois Educator License with Stipulations Endorsed-Paraprofessional Educator
• (If you do not already hold a Teaching/Substitute License):
• - 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?
• - Current Illinois Short Term Approval (STA) - Paraprofessional:
• - Minimum Age - 19 years old
• - Application in ELIS ($50 application fee)
• - Proof of High School Graduation - copy of diploma, copy of transcript showing graduation date, GED, etc
• - For more information on how to apply to obtain the STA please reference the attached file.
• - If you have any question regarding obtaining a Licensure please contact: DuPage Regional Office of Education, Licensure Division 421 N. County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187 630-407-5800 cert@dupageroe.org

Requirements

• Current State of Illinois Paraprofessional (Aide) Approval
• Educator License with Stipulations
• Professional Educator License
• Substitute License
• 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

Skills

• Assist with providing a variety of activities for a balanced program of instruction
• 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
• Absorb and move children during activities including recess, lunch and getting children safely on and off bus
• Absorb and move children during hygiene and toileting activities which might include transferring and lifting students
• Sanitize classroom and equipment using approved materials
• Physical Ability: 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
• Push/pull items up to 80 lbs., such as children in wheelchairs

Work Environment

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