Special Education Teaching Assistant / Paraprofessional – Tri County Connections Academy
About The Position
A therapeutic day school for students with complex social-emotional and behavioral needs, grounded in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and an unwavering belief in every student's capacity for growth and healing. We're Seeking a TA Who Is: ● Deeply Relational & Trauma-Informed: Prioritizes connection, builds trust, and applies trauma-informed principles in daily interactions. ● Calm & Consistent: Can remain regulated, responding with consistency and compassion even in a crisis. ● Proactive & Collaborative: Anticipates needs, supports instruction for regulation and social skills, and works closely with the classroom teacher and team. ● Committed to Skill-Building: Focuses on teaching emotional regulation, social connection, academic progress, and resilience. You will be the consistent adult proving students are "worth the effort," modeling regulation, and building essential skills. This is deeply meaningful work that changes lives through relationships and unwavering belief.
Requirements
- High School Diploma/GED
- Illinois Paraprofessional Educator License (or willingness to obtain)
- Commitment to trauma-informed, restorative practices.
- Physically able to participate in crisis management training.
- Ability to team lift 100 pounds and pull/push 75 pounds.
- Curiosity over judgment, humility, resilience, cultural responsiveness, and commitment to equity.
Responsibilities
- Foster Safety: Build relationships, help maintain a safe environment, and implement co-regulation/safety plans calmly during crisis.
- Support Learning: Assist with instructional materials, support students one-on-one or in small groups with differentiated lessons and IEP goals, and integrate academic learning with social-emotional skill-building.
- Teamwork: Work interdependently with the team, participate in reflective problem-solving, and engage in debriefs after challenges.
- Use Best Practices: Approach all behavior as communication, implement positive behavior supports and restorative practices, and protect student dignity.
- Monitor: Collect data on academic, behavioral, and social-emotional progress to help drive team decisions.
Benefits
- Individual Health Insurance paid
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
