Chicago Public Schools is hiring a Special Education Classroom Assistant to provide critical support to students and teachers. Under the general supervision of the school principal and immediate direction of a certified Special Education teacher, you will assist in the instruction of disabled students in accordance with their Individual Education Programs (IEPs), providing instructional support, personal care, and behavioral assistance.
What You'll Do
- Assist Special Education teachers in reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities in accordance with each student’s Individual Education Program (IEP).
- Lift and position non-ambulatory students as instructed by the teacher and in adherence to written instruction from students’ personal physicians.
- Provide one-on-one tutoring services to present or reinforce learning concepts.
- Provide one-on-one personal hygiene services for students with severe disabilities, including toileting, changing soiled diapers, and cleaning soiled children.
- Assist students with orthopedic impairments by arranging and adjusting tools, work aids, and equipment.
- Assist the teacher in instructing students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency.
- Accompany students to swimming pools and medical clinics to assist with personal services.
- Assist in feeding students unable to do so themselves.
- Take notes in classrooms for students unable to do so themselves.
- Correct homework assignments and examination materials.
- Assist teachers in maintaining written records of students’ behavior.
- Accompany students and teachers on class field trips.
- Attend and participate in workshops and in-service training to update job-related skills.
- May utilize aggressive management techniques to physically restrain violent students.
- May administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as directed by the teacher.
- May operate audio-visual and photocopying equipment.
What We're Looking For
- Must possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
- License requires successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution OR successful completion of a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro).
- Good knowledge of the characteristics of students with various disabilities.
- Good knowledge of English grammar and spelling.
- Good knowledge of basic mathematics.
- Ability to work with and for students with various disabilities, ages birth to twenty-one (21) years of age.
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions and direction.
- Ability to complete and maintain basic written reports.
- Physical ability for Medium Work: Exerting up to fifty (50) pounds of force occasionally, up to twenty (20) pounds frequently, and up to ten (10) pounds constantly.
- Physical demands include reaching, handling, fingering objects; talking and hearing; occasional near visual acuity and frequent far visual acuity.
Nice to Have
- Ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is highly desirable.
- Skill in the operation of photocopying and audio-visual equipment is highly desirable.
Technical Stack
- Audio-visual equipment
- Photocopying equipment
- Computers
- Communication devices
- Tape recorders
Team & Environment
Works under the general direction of the school principal and immediate supervision of a certified Special Education teacher.
Benefits & Compensation
- Health & Wellness: Medical Plan Options, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Behavioral Health & EAP, Employee Wellness Program.
- Financial Security: Basic Life Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Pension Plans, Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b)), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Spot Pet Insurance.
- Work-Life Balance: Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Vacation Days, Parental Leaves, Short-Term Disability, Religious Holidays, Leaves.
Work Mode
This is an onsite position located within Chicago Public Schools.
Chicago Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer.
