Special Education Teaching Assistant - Middle School

Summary of Position

The Special Education Aide 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.

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, the requirements are:

• 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 requirements are:

• 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

Job Requirements

• Current State of Illinois Paraprofessional (Aide) Approval, Educator License with Stipulations, Professional Educator License, or Substitute License
• Have the ability to work effectively with children
• Have the 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

Typical Duties

• 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
• Works with students individually or in small groups in academic studies, basic life skills and other assigned instruction
• Implements 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
• Observes and records student's progress
• Assists individual or groups of students during activities including recess, lunch and getting children safely on and off bus
• Assist with hygiene and toileting activities which might include transferring and lifting students
• Sanitize classroom and equipment using approved materials

Physical Ability

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and run. The employee will experience occasional lifting and or moving up to 100 lbs, such as lifting a child from the floor. The employee must be able to 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.