Teacher Assistant - Program with Autism

Teacher Assistant – Program for Students with Autism

Job : 750

Position Type: Special Education/ Teacher Assistant

Date Posted: 11/17/2025

Location: Highland Park, IL

Starting rate for the 2025-26 School Year is $24.40 per hour

This teacher assistant will support the True North student outcomes vision and help students become successful, happy adults in home, school, work, and community by providing programs and services that ensure students:

• acquire/use knowledge and skills
• interact well with others and have friends
• take appropriate action to meet their needs
• care about and contribute to society
• take actions to maintain health and wellness

True North is currently seeking a highly motivated individual who enjoys working with students with autism and related disabilities. The teacher assistant’s primary role is to assist in all aspects of the daily instructional program for special education students. The teacher assistant may be responsible for small group instruction under the direct supervision of the teacher or other person designated by True North to direct or supervise teacher assistants.

The teacher assistant will participate in activities necessary to maintain classroom integration and to support a child’s IEP in all curricula activities which include classroom, community, vocational, recreational/leisure, and domestic domains as directed.

• Proficient communication skills
• Effective collaborative problem-solving ability
• Engages in continuous professional improvement
• Possesses job specific skills required to meet essential job functions

• Assist the teacher in the preparation of materials.
• Conduct individual and small group instruction under the direction of the teacher.
• Assist in behavior management under the direction of the teacher.
• Assist in toileting and feeding under the direction of the teacher, including the need to physically assist in keeping a child safe using CPI strategies.
• Participate in team planning meetings, staffing meetings, and parent conferences as requested by the teacher.
• Participate in in-service programs, professional meetings and professional development as requested by the teacher or administrator.
• Participate in community and vocational instruction within or outside the school facility, not to exceed 80% of their working time.
• Lift students who weigh over 50 pounds.
• Assist in physical restraint of students for safety of students and others, including the need to physically assist in keeping a child safe using CPI strategies.
• Supervising students may involve the need for frequent and prolonged walking, running, and standing for long periods and the ability to respond quickly to potential hazards and maintain a safe environment for students.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and support personnel to improve services for students.
• Any significant change of job duties shall be subject to impact bargaining and shall be considered temporary until such bargaining is completed.
• Perform such other duties and services under the teacher’s direction as may be related to the smooth functioning of True North.

• Environment:
  May involve working both indoors and outdoors, potentially in various weather conditions.
• Physical exertion:
  Involves physical exertion to keep up with students, which can include bending, stooping, and lifting if needed.

• High School Diploma
• Obtain or willingness to obtain Paraprofessional License (additional information can be found through this link:  )

• Administrator
• Classroom Teacher

This position follows the True North Educational Support Professionals Collective Bargaining Agreement for both regionally competitive pay and excellent benefits.

Apply online by completing the online application and uploading support materials. PLEASE NO CALLS OR EMAILS.

Postings current as of 11/27/2025 1:07:01 PM CST.

We're here to help! For questions regarding position qualifications or application procedures, please contact True North Educational Cooperative 804 directly.

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