Emotional Wellness Teaching Assistant

2026-2027School Year

Hourly rate determined by CEA collective bargaining agreement.

Starting Hourly Rate : Grade LTA,

$17.23

Hours/Day: 6.5 (full-time)

Work days/year : 178

Position: Emotional Wellness Teaching Assistant

Reports to: Emotional Wellness Coordinator/ Building Principal

Summary of Position : The Emotional Wellness Aide assists the Emotional Wellness Coordinator in meeting the needs of students who struggle with concerns related to emotional regulation. The primary focus is to assist and enhance the educational process for students with social-emotional needs in both instructional and non-instructional activities.

Licensure

The State of Illinois requires Special Education Teaching Assistants to have one of the following:

• Current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
• Current Illinois Substitute Teaching License
• Current Illinois Educator License with Stipulations Endorsed-Paraprofessional Educator (If you do not already hold a Teaching/Substitute License):
• The requirements are: Associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution; 60 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution; High school diploma, or equivalent + 480 or higher on the ETS Parapro test; High school diploma, or equivalent + 4 or higher on the ACT WorkKeys Applied Math and Workplace Documents?
• Current Illinois Short Term Approval (STA) - Paraprofessional:
• The requirements are: Minimum Age - 19 years old, Application in ELIS ($50 application fee), Proof of High School Graduation - copy of diploma, copy of transcript showing graduation date, GED, etc
• For more information on how to apply to obtain the STA please reference the attached file.

DuPage Regional Office of Education, Licensure Division

421 N. County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187

View phone number on workus.org ***email_hidden***

• Have the ability to work effectively with children.
• Have the ability to function within the framework of the school environment.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of:
• Child guidance principles and practices.
• Behavior management and positive reinforcement.
• Classroom procedures and appropriate conduct.
• Basic record keeping methods.

Typical Duties

• Assist with a variety of activities related to a student's program of instruction, including homework completion, organizational skills and communication with classroom teachers.
• Assist students in accessing school supports and resources, both academic and social-emotional.
• Works with students individually or in small groups in academic studies, general emotional regulation skills and other assigned instruction.
• Implements hospital transition plans and procedures designed for individual students when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students.
• Maintain positive relationships with all students, school staff and parents.
• Participates in data tracking activities, including monitoring service utilization and student progress towards individual goals.
• Maintain a safe, supportive environment for students.

Physical Ability

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee will experience occasional lifting and or moving up to 100 lbs, such as lifting a child from the floor. The employee must be able to push/pull items up to 100 lbs., such as children in wheelchairs.

Work Environment

Hazards- Potential exposure to communicable disease and contact with blood and other body fluids; potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior.