Special Education Teaching Assistant - Elementary School (.FTE

Position Type

Support Staff/ Teaching Assistant - Special Education

2/25/2026

Washington Elementary

Community Unit School District 200

Hours per Day: 6.5 (full‑time)

Work Days per Year: 178

2025‑2026 School Year:
Hourly rate determined by CEA collective bargaining agreement.

Starting Hourly Rate (Grade LTA): $16.81 base hourly rate

$18.81 if assigned to a high‑needs classroom

$22.81 if assigned to a high‑needs classroom and completion of a 40‑hour training program for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) through Relias Academy (training information at ).

Medical Insurance:
Blue Cross Blue Shield HM0 80/20 cost share

Dental Insurance:
Blue Cross Blue Shield 80/20 cost share

Vision Insurance: VSP 100% employee cost

Classroom Teacher/Building Principal

The Special Education Aide assists teachers in meeting the needs of special education students. The primary focus is to assist and enhance the educational process of students with disabilities in both instructional and non‑instructional activities.

• 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)
• Current Illinois Short Term Approval (STA) – Paraprofessional
• Current State of Illinois Paraprofessional (Aide) Approval, Educator License with Stipulations, Professional Educator License, or Substitute License.

License requirements:

• 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 Work Keys Applied Math and Workplace Documents.
• Minimum age 19 years; application in ELIS ($50 fee); proof of high school graduation or equivalent; GED, etc.

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

• Assist with a variety of activities for a balanced program of instruction, giving students opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
• Reinforce information and instructions following a lesson.
• Work with students individually or in small groups in academic studies, basic life skills, and other assigned instruction.
• Implement behavior modification plans and procedures designed for individual students when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students.
• Maintain positive relationships with all students, school staff, and parents.
• Observe and record student progress.
• Assist individual or groups of students during activities including recess, lunch, and getting children safely on and off bus.
• Assist with hygiene and toileting activities, including transferring and lifting students; sanitize classroom and equipment using approved materials.

The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and run. 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 or pull items up to 80 lbs, such as children in wheelchairs.

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

DuPage Regional Office of Education, Licensure Division, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187; 630‑407‑5800; cert