Teaching Assistant

Position Type:
Special Education/Teacher Assistant

Date Posted:
7/27/2026

Location:
Highland Park, IL


Date Available:
08/17/2026
Job Description • Teaching Assistant

Reports to: Classroom Teacher and Instructional Coordinator
Employment Group: Instructional Support
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Work Year: 10 Months
Salary Classi fi cation: Union Support Staff

Position Summary

The Teaching Assistant supports the TrueNorth mission and is committed to the possibilities in every learner, every day. This role plays a vital part in fostering a therapeutic, inclusive school community where students experience belonging and develop the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral skills needed for success. Under the direction of a Special Education Teacher or assigned administrator, the Teaching Assistant supports all aspects of the instructional program, behavior management, and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Responsibilities include individual and small-group instruction, data collection, crisis support, and participation in classroom, community, vocational, and recreational activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication skills with students, staff, and families
• Effective collaborative problem-solving abilities
• Commitment to continuous professional improvement
• Ability to implement instructional, therapeutic and behavioral strategies under teacher direction
• Skill in supporting students with cognitive, social-emotional, behavioral, and autism-related support needs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Capacity to support students across varied environments, including classroom, regulation spaces, community, and vocational settings
• Ability to safely assist in physical restraint when required for student and staff safety
• Ability to collect data and follow individualized plans with consistency and accuracy

Quali fi cations

• Valid Illinois Paraprofessional License or Substitute Teacher License
• Ability to pass a background check and provide a physician's statement of ability to complete the essential functions and responsibilities of the job
• Experience working with students with cognitive, social-emotional, behavioral, or developmental support needs preferred
• Appropriate certification for School Bus Permit required or ability to obtain within the first six months of employment / or within 6 months of age eligibility
• Ability to maintain a high level of work attendance

Essential Functions & Responsibilities
The following statements describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned that are reasonably related to the position.

Instructional Support

• Assist the teacher in preparing instructional materials and organizing classroom activities
• Conduct individual and small-group instruction under teacher direction
• Support students in academic, vocational, community, and recreational activities
• Operate classroom and office equipment to support learning

Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support

• Implement behavior plans and use trauma-informed, therapeutic strategies under teacher and clinician direction
• Provide guidance and support to students experiencing social-emotional or behavioral challenges
• Assist in crisis intervention, including safe physical restraint when required
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times

IEP & Data Support

• Support implementation of IEP goals across environments
• Collect and record data on student performance and behavior
• Participate in team meetings, staffings, and parent conferences as requested
• Communicate observations to teacher and therapeutic team to support planning and intervention

Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with teachers, clinicians, related service providers, administrators, and families
• Participate in orientation, in-service programs, and professional learning opportunities
• Provide feedback to the teacher regarding student progress and needs
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support classroom and school functioning

Community & Vocational Support

• Participate in community-based instruction and vocational activities
• Ensure safety and supervision during all off-campus activities
• Transport students by van or bus as directed (Type B license required)

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to lift and assist students, including lifting over 50 pounds when required
• Ability to bend, kneel, reach, and move frequently throughout the day
• Must complete Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and employ these skills as necessary
• Ability to safely assist in physical restraint when required by student behavior plans
• Ability to accompany students to regulation spaces and community and vocational sites
• Work occurs in classrooms, regulation spaces hallways, community settings, and vocational environments
• Requires flexibility, problem-solving, and responsiveness to changing student and team needs
• Regular exposure to students with significant social-emotional and behavioral support needs