Paraprofessional - Special Education

Position Title: Paraprofessional - Special Education Department: Building Personnel Reports to: Principal/Assistant Principal FLSA Class: Non-Exempt FTE: 1.0 Job Summary We are seeking a dedicated and passionate individual to join our team at Normal Community West High School as a Paraprofessional. This full-time position is designed for someone who is committed to supporting students and teachers in a dynamic educational environment.

Responsibilities

• Presents subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods.
• Establishes, as fully as possible, a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the student personnel evaluation team conferring about one of the students to whom assigned.
• Supervises students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Conducts demonstrations to teach such skills as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.
• Distributes teaching materials such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils to students.
• Enforces administration policies and rules governing students.
• Completes required reports in a timely manner.
• Teaches socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
• Works with students with multiple physical, mental, and developmental disabilities.
• Is familiar with and uses adaptive equipment including, communication equipment, wheel chairs, adaptive feeding tools, etc.
• Assists students with self-care, hygiene, and feeding as necessary.
• May be required to perform tasks that students are not able to do, i.e. taking notes, handling materials, holding books, etc.
• May work with/handle resistive students.
• Serves as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of fully licensed teachers.
• Assists the classroom teacher in other tasks necessary in maintaining a professional and positive classroom environment, and performs other teacher aide duties as may be assigned by the classroom teacher, administration or Board of Education.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent. Must have a paraprofessional license (See link below on info how to obtain your license through ROE#17)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with students, parents, and staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in helping students succeed.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. and assist students with mobility challenges if necessary. In addition, employee must be able to push/pull up to 10lbs. https://roe17.org/licensure/paraprofessional-license-information-para (Direct questions about para license to ROE17 1-309-888-5120) Please note: Start date will be given once paraprofessional license is obtained and all backgrounds and required paperwork are complete. All employees must pass state & federal background checks.

Compensation

Fully Board Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision available. Per the 2026-2027 Teaching Assistant Salary Schedule, the starting pay range is $19.48 - $22.40 per hour and is based upon experience. An Equal Opportunity Employer