Teaching Assistant

Nexus Family Healing•Onarga, IL

15d•$17 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

Nexus Family Healing is hiring a Full Time Teaching Assistant for Grand Prairie School at our Onarga, IL location! Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is located approximately 30 miles south of Kankakee and 45 miles north of Champaign-Urbana, just a few miles off of I-57 on a historic site in Onarga, IL. Nexus Onarga provides boys ages 10 to 20 years old a structured, homelike environment where they can safely address a variety of unhealthy behaviors and mental health issues as well as childhood trauma. Nexus Onarga youth attend our onsite private, therapeutic Grand Prairie School which offers special education with small classes for grades 5th-12th. At Nexus Family Healing, we embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As a national mental health organization, we serve a diverse group of youth and families, and we strive for our workforce to support and represent that diversity. The Teaching Assistant supports faculty in student learning and helps supervise students in both educational and residential settings.

Requirements

Minimum 21 years of age
High School diploma or GED is required.
Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements.
Must have an ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement (ELS PARA) or obtain upon hire prior to start date.

Nice To Haves

Previous classroom support experience.

Responsibilities

Provide educational assistance to clients within a classroom setting.
Provide one-on-one instructional support based on lesson plans.
Communicate with students professionally and compassionately.
Help maintain a safe, supportive learning environment.
Deliver lessons and assist with assignments in the teacher’s absence.
Prepare classroom materials and handouts.
Assist with attendance and progress records.
Supervise study halls and classrooms as needed.
Collaborate with teachers to support classroom goals.
Request classroom supplies as needed.
Support student treatment plans and IEPs.
Provide client supervision and mentorship.
Monitor student behavior, redirect as needed, and assist with restraints when necessary.
Support student transport to and from residential units.
Promote respect for diversity across all identities and backgrounds.
Serve as a compassionate, respectful, and professional role model.
Continuously build knowledge in child and adolescent development to support positive youth growth.
Ensure student resident safety and collaborate with co-workers to maintain an environment that is positive, respectful, clean, and safe.
Ensure safety compliance across classrooms, school grounds, residential areas, and off-campus activities.
Administer First Aid/CPR and follow emergency protocols.
Maintain professional boundaries with student residents.
Uphold privacy and confidentiality per Nexus policies.
Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required by Nexus.
Understand and support the Nexus philosophy and treatment modalities.

Benefits

Small class sizes
Full time paraprofessional with Teacher in each classroom
Behavior Intervention Team readily available to provide ongoing support
Residential program staff available throughout the school day to provide additional support where needed
Tuition assistance program offered to pursue higher education
8 days of paid time off per calendar year plus pre-scheduled paid break weeks off throughout the year, including 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week Spring Break, 1 week in June & 1 week in August, in addition to time off around other recognized holidays
Endless training on mental health & trauma informed care
Ongoing support of a team of trained & experienced professionals
Internal advancement opportunities available with further education
Employee Referral Bonus program