Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Position Status: Full-Time, 35 hours per week during regular school sessions and 32.5 hours per week during summer sessions

Location: Easterseals Learning Academy, 110 Fandel Road, Germantown Hills, IL 61548

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 3:00pm during the regular school year; 7:45 am - 2:15 pm during the summer sessions (20 days in June).

Make a Difference Every Day Help students build the skills, confidence, and independence they need to thrive. At Easterseals Learning Academy, Teaching Assistants play a vital role in supporting students with autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional disabilities, developmental delays, and other health impairments. Working alongside teachers, therapists, and behavior support staff, you'll help create a structured, engaging, and supportive learning environment where students can grow academically, socially, emotionally, and functionally.

This is more than a classroom support position—it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students as they develop the skills needed for greater independence at school, at home, and in their communities.

About Easterseals Learning Academy

Easterseals Learning Academy is an Illinois State Board of Education-approved non-public therapeutic day school serving students ages 5–21. School districts throughout Central Illinois partner with us to provide specialized educational programming for students whose needs are best served in a therapeutic and highly supportive learning environment. Our goal is to empower students to achieve their highest potential by strengthening academic achievement, communication skills, social-emotional development, and functional life skills that promote greater independence.

What Makes Our Program Unique?

• High staff-to-student ratios that allow for individualized attention and meaningful student support
• Collaborative teams of educators, therapists, and support professionals working together toward student success
• Specialized classrooms and therapy spaces designed to support learning, communication, behavior, and development
• Individualized instruction aligned with Illinois learning standards while addressing each student's unique strengths and needs
• A focus on helping students develop the skills needed to successfully participate in their schools, homes, and communities

Every member of our team contributes to creating an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and celebrated for their progress.

See the Impact of Your Work

As a Teaching Assistant, you'll work directly with students throughout the school day—supporting classroom instruction, reinforcing new skills, encouraging positive behaviors, and helping students build confidence and independence.

You may help a student communicate a need for the first time, master a challenging academic concept, develop a social skill, or gain greater independence with daily living tasks. These moments may seem small, but they can have a lasting impact on a student's future.

At Easterseals Learning Academy, progress is measured one step at a time, and every member of the classroom team plays an important role in helping students succeed.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for individuals who are patient, dependable, and passionate about helping students succeed. The ideal candidate:

• Enjoys working with children and young adults with diverse learning needs
• Demonstrates patience, empathy, and a positive attitude
• Can provide encouragement while maintaining structure and consistency
• Works collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and support staff
• Is adaptable and comfortable responding to the changing needs of students throughout the day
• Takes initiative while also seeking guidance when needed
• Values creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment

Experience in special education, education, human services, behavioral health, childcare, or related fields is beneficial but not required. We welcome individuals who are eager to learn and grow within a supportive team environment.

You'll Thrive in This Role If...

The best Teaching Assistants aren't necessarily those with the most experience—they're the ones who show up each day with patience, flexibility, and a genuine desire to help students succeed.

You'll likely enjoy this role if you:

• Believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn and grow
• Enjoy building positive relationships and celebrating student successes
• Are patient and resilient when faced with challenges
• Like being active and engaged throughout the day rather than sitting behind a desk
• Work well with others and enjoy being part of a supportive team
• Can adapt to changing student needs and classroom priorities
• Find purpose in helping others become more independent and confident

Many of our successful Teaching Assistants come from backgrounds in education, childcare, behavioral health, direct support, psychology, social work, therapy services, and other helping professions. Just as important as experience is a willingness to learn and a commitment to supporting students with compassion and consistency.

Why Work for Easterseals?

At Easterseals, every role contributes to our mission of helping children and families reach their fullest potential. As a Teaching Assistant, you'll find:

• Meaningful work that makes a difference in students' lives
• A collaborative team environment with educators, therapists, and support professionals
• Opportunities to develop skills in special education, behavior support, and student engagement
• Paid training and professional development opportunities
• A school calendar schedule with built-in breaks throughout the year
• The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to serving children and families in our community

Your support helps students build the confidence, independence, and skills they need for success—both inside and outside the classroom.

Position Objective: The Teaching Assistant supports the teacher in providing designed instruction and educational programs for children who have a primary educational diagnosis of Autism, intellectual Disability, or other health impairment.

Job Functions:

• Completes paperwork such as attendance, weekly schedule, requisitions, and other required forms accurately, promptly, and according to ESLA procedures.
• Understands, documents, and assists with any classroom or individual behavior management plans.
• Performs day-to-day operations of the job showing self-confidence and independence.
• Seeks consultation or guidance from the Teacher in unfamiliar situations, as needed.
• Assists Teacher in routine paperwork and with making and preparing materials for classroom activities.
• Develops an awareness of each student's special needs; becomes familiar with student records and information.
• Establishes priorities to complete work, meet deadlines, and be prepared for class each day.
• Able to be reassigned as the need arises.
• Conducts lessons with guidance and training from the teacher.
• Supports student learning by answering questions, modeling or demonstrating skills, and participating in classroom discussions.
• Provides re-teaching, guided practice, and assistance with assignments/tests/tasks to promote the acquisition of new skills.
• Addresses specific functional or academic needs through modified activities, environmental accommodations, and adaptation.
• Supports the development of students' health and self-care by modeling, prompting, and positively reinforcing independence and self-care skills.

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Supervises students during lunch, bathroom, and transitions outside of the classroom.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Successful completion of 60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution of higher education OR
• Successful completion of the paraprofessional examination approved by Illinois State Board of Education.
• Experience in special education, preferred.
• Registered Behavior Technician certification or willingness to complete training.
• Receive training and pass competency tests in Crisis Prevention Intervention.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and software (MS Office Suite).

Competency Requirements

• Demonstrate a positive attitude towards rules and regulations, notice, and comment on desirable aspects of student behavior, and demonstrate good humor and a reasonable sense of self-control over situations.
• Maintain a high level of respect and professionalism for staff, parents, and community members at all times.
• Maintain confidential information to safeguard clients and families.
• Responsible for keeping resources and client files in order.