1:1 Teaching Assistant

EASTERSEALS CENTRAL ILLINOIS•Germantown Hills, IL

13d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The 1:1 Teaching Assistant supports a designated student with special needs throughout the school day, facilitating educational development, engagement, communication, social skills, behavior support, daily living skills, and greater independence. The role works alongside teachers, therapists, behavior support staff, families, and administrators in a structured therapeutic educational environment, adapting support to the student's needs and helping the student work toward meaningful goals. Easterseals Learning Academy is an Illinois State Board of Education-approved non-public therapeutic day school serving students ages 5–21. The academy provides specialized educational programming in a supportive environment, with individualized instruction and interventions, high staff-to-student ratios, and collaborative teams of educators, therapists, behavior specialists, and support staff. This is a full-time position scheduled for 35 hours per week during regular school sessions and 32.5 hours per week during summer sessions. The regular school-year schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; the summer schedule is 7:45 a.m.–2:15 p.m. for 20 days in June. The position is located at Easterseals Learning Academy in Germantown Hills, Illinois. The role includes completing required paperwork and student documentation; preparing classroom materials; supporting lessons, assignments, tests, and classroom participation; adapting activities and accommodations; modeling and prompting health, self-care, communication, and functional skills; implementing Functional Behavior Assessments and collecting data; collaborating on student schedules and service adjustments; attending therapy sessions and implementing strategies; and supervising students during lunch, bathroom breaks, and transitions. The employee may also be required to act as a mandated reporter, participate in physical restraint when necessary, and drive a personal vehicle to meetings and service sites. The work takes place primarily in school environments with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, or temperature. Standard office equipment is used. Physical demands include regular standing, walking, sitting, and reaching; frequent grasping, handling, or feeling; occasional lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds; and visual ability sufficient to read written materials and computer screens.

Requirements

Completion of 60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution of higher education, or successful completion of the approved Illinois State Board of Education paraprofessional examination.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification, or willingness and ability to successfully complete the required training.
Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification, or willingness and ability to successfully complete the required training.
Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Demonstrate punctuality and reliability.
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Collaborate as part of a team and adapt to change.
Take initiative and prioritize tasks independently.
Organize and manage resources and files; utilize office equipment and software and maintain records.
Exercise good judgment and interact with diverse groups.
Meet the role's physical demands, including regular standing, walking, sitting, and reaching; frequent use of hands to grasp, handle, or feel; occasional lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds; and physical restraint of students as necessary.
Have the ability to drive a personal vehicle to meetings and service sites.
Work Monday through Friday on the stated school-year and summer schedules.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience in special education.

Responsibilities

Develop an understanding of each student's individual needs and become familiar with student records.
Complete required paperwork accurately and promptly, including attendance, schedules, requisitions, and other forms.
Assist the teacher with routine paperwork and preparation of classroom activity materials.
Establish priorities, meet deadlines, prepare for class, and adapt to reassignments when needed.
Conduct lessons or meetings with guidance and training from the teacher.
Support student learning by answering questions, modeling skills, and participating in classroom discussions.
Provide re-teaching, guided practice, and assistance with assignments, tests, and tasks to promote skill acquisition.
Address functional and academic needs through modified activities, accommodations, and adaptations.
Support students' health, self-care, and independence through modeling and prompting.
Participate in ongoing training and professional development and develop competencies for engaging students in functional activities.
Implement formal and informal Functional Behavior Assessments with fidelity and collect and submit data regularly for analysis.
Adjust student services based on data and guidance from the student support team.
Develop daily student schedules in collaboration with the classroom teacher, administration, and support specialists.
Attend related-service therapy sessions and implement strategies throughout the student's day.
Develop proficiency in students' functional communication and support its readiness and use throughout the day.
Document student activity and performance for a variety of purposes.
Act as a mandated reporter to help ensure student safety.
Supervise students during lunch, bathroom breaks, and transitions outside the classroom.
Perform other assigned duties.
Collaborate with teachers, therapists, behavior specialists, support staff, and families to support the assigned student.
Use office equipment and software, maintain records, and organize resources and files.

Benefits

Generous paid time off, including sick and personal time.
10 paid holidays throughout the year.
Additional PTO hours can be earned by volunteering with Easterseals.
Time off is in addition to Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Easter/Spring Break, and Summer Break.
Comprehensive group health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
Long-term disability, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage.
Employer-paid and employee-paid life insurance options.
401(k) with employer match.
Professional development and CEU allowance.
Eligibility for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program.