Special Education Paraprofessional

Job Summary: Clare Woods Academy, a non-public, non-profit alternative day school, is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Paraprofessional to join our specialized educational team. In our therapeutic day school setting, we provide unique programming for children and young adults ages 5 to 22 who face learning and behavioral challenges, including many students on the Autism Spectrum. The Paraprofessional will support teachers and therapists in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

We take pride in being an inclusive and welcoming place for both students and staff, and you won’t find another environment quite like ours! Our schedule includes holidays and plenty of other days off aligned with the school year calendar, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.

Additionally, we offer two pay schedules, enabling employees to receive consistent pay throughout the year without the worry of unpaid time during holiday breaks.

Qualifications

According to guidelines set by the Illinois State Board of Education, the Paraprofessional must:

• Be a high school graduate and be 19 years of age.
• Have a preference for at least minimum experience working with developmentally disabled children.
• Hold an Illinois State Board of Education Paraprofessional Certificate (easy application process)
• Pass a pre-employment physical and be free of communicable diseases including tuberculosis.
• Be free of any criminal record as determined by the Illinois State Police.

Responsibilities

• Understand the educational program’s philosophy and each student’s individualized education plan (IEP).
• Be familiar with all policies in the Handbook of Policies.
• Know the disabilities of the students in their care and consult regularly with the teacher on effective support strategies.
• Follow the teacher’s directives to review skills at the student’s learning level, promoting growth and independence.
• Respect each student’s learning pace, offering encouragement with patience.
• Provide consistent guidance in all areas of learning.
• Complete tasks as requested by the classroom teacher or principal.
• Engage in discussions about student progress during staff meetings and annual reviews.
• Attend department meetings, faculty gatherings, and other school activities that support professional and student development.
• Help cultivate positive relationships among staff, students, and parents.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person