STARS Paraprofessional

Yorkville CUSD 115 has an opening for a 1.0 FTE paraprofessional to support the STARS (Skills Training And Related Service) program for kindergarten and 1st grade students at Yorkville Grade School for the 2026-2027 school year. This role supports students in a co-taught classroom and self-contained program. Previous experience with students who have an autism diagnosis and use communication devices is preferred but not required.

About the Role

The paraprofessional provides academic, social, functional, and behavioral support to increase students' access to curriculum and improve outcomes. The role requires effective collaboration with school personnel, implementation of interventions, support for small groups or individuals, and facilitation of communication among stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate knowledge of students' needs, including educational, medical, physical, sensory, speech/language, social/emotional, recreational, vocational, and functional requirements.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding students and personnel.
• Demonstrate organizational skills, time management, and flexibility to meet staff and student needs.
• Support students with IEPs, 504 plans, and RtI plans.
• Complete tasks with minimal supervision, multi-task, and seek ways to enhance efficiency.
• Apply technological skills to meet student needs.
• Display professionalism, discretion, and dependability in all interactions.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Prepare materials for student learning and work directly with students under teacher direction to support academic and emotional growth.
• Communicate changing student needs to team members and maintain consistent attendance.
• Gather and categorize data, implement and monitor interventions, and provide feedback on curricular and emotional interventions.

Requirements

• Skills in performing technical tasks, learning software applications, and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to administer assessments, follow plans, and communicate concerns to the team.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about students with cognitive delays, learning disabilities, communication difficulties, emotional disorders, and attention difficulties.
• Understanding of high school-level math, English grammar, sciences, and social sciences.
• Awareness of scaffolding tasks, inclusion, peer interaction, and executive functioning skills.
• Flexibility to work with others and adapt to change.
• Effective listening, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification (provided annually).

Qualifications

• High school diploma and ETS Paraprofessional Assessment, or
• Associate’s degree and paraprofessional license, or
• Bachelor’s degree and substitute license.
• Fingerprint/background clearance through ISBE.
• Employment physical and TB test.

Physical Demands

• 90% walking/standing, 10% sitting.
• Occasional physical restraints as part of CPI training.
• May occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds or more.
• Requires close, distance, and color vision.
• Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Work Environment

This role is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. The job may require lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling.

Pay

Starting hourly rate: $18.50. This position is part of the Yorkville CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement).