Pre-K Special Education Paraprofessional Job Joliet area,Illinois USA,Education / Teaching

Position: Pre-K Special Education Paraprofessional (2026-2027)

Special Education Paraprofessional

Under the direction of the Building administration, Student Services Coordinator, and assigned classroom teacher, assist in providing instruction to individuals or small groups of students in a classroom or instructional setting; performs various tasks in assisting with the educational needs associated with the particular program to which assigned.

Classroom paraprofessionals, paraprofessionals, and one-to-one paraprofessionals may function in a variety of roles: those which are instructionally-based, those which are physically-management based and those which are medically-based. Job responsibilities may shift among these roles depending upon the needs of the student/s.

Education, Experience, and/or Certification:

Valid State of Illinois Professional Educator License with Self-Contained General Education Endorsement or Educator License with Stipulations (PARA)

Degree or minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit

Demonstrated concern for the child's well-being

Willingness to accept instruction

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Prepares for classroom and/or other assigned activities under the direction of the teacher and/or principal.

Assist the classroom teacher with the instruction and supervision of students during classroom activities.

Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce new skills initially introduced by the classroom teacher.

Assist the classroom teacher in devising and implementing strategies for reinforcing skills based on data.

Maintain anecdotal notes, written observations, and other approved forms of documentation for students when instructed to do so by the classroom teacher.

Assist with critical daily activities.

Ability to work harmoniously with others and to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with the public and district personnel using tact, courtesy, and good judgment.

Ability to perform support functions requiring independent judgment, decision-making, and problem-solving in accordance with established policies and regulations.

Ability to maintain the privacy of sensitive and confidential information.

Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Perform general clerical duties such as: preparation of instructional materials, scoring student work, preparing materials for classroom use, etc.

Operate a variety of office equipment such as copy machines, computers, and printers.

Possess language skills including composition, punctuation, spelling, and correct usage.

Attend building meetings and in-service training.

Maintain commitment to ongoing professional development.

Other Duties as assigned.

Is responsible for instructionally-based activities:

understands the typical developmental characteristics of the age group and exceptional students
is familiar with the teaching strategy the teacher wants to use
is able to provide reinforcers in the way the teacher has planned
is aware of students' strengths and weaknesses
provides the teacher with feedback on the success/failure of an understanding of the students' skills and knowledge
follows lesson plans developed by the certified staff member
clarifies directions and procedures
uses spoken/written/sign language and vocabulary that are clear and age-appropriate
asks questions of a high quality, with adequate wait time for the student to respond
promotes classroom interaction
assists individual students or small groups with tasks
engages all students in discussion and encourages students to formulate questions
links content to students' prior knowledge and experience
works with a variety of instructional grouping patterns to foster student engagement in learning
uses a variety of instructional strategies to meet the variety of learner needs
provides feedback in a timely manner and specific to the learner
helps assess student progress through observing and recording data

Is responsible for one or more students with specific medical needs:

may assist with toileting, which may include diapering and/or assisting students in any stage of the toileting process
may assist with feeding, including g-tube feeding
may catheterize
may need to lift students and position them
may need to manage medical…