Special Education Assistant
About the Employer
Qualifications
a. Required - High School Diploma or Equivalent and 60 Credit Hours of College Credit a. Preferred - Classroom Experience, Spanish-Speaking
• Certification: Valid Illinois Professional Educator’s, Paraprofessional, or Substitute License Registered in Lake County
• Education:
• Experience:
Special Education Paraprofessional (Structured/Functional)
Position Type: Paraprofessionals/Special Education Paraprofessional Date Posted: September 21, 2026 Location: Woodland Elementary School Date Available: September 25, 2026 Closing Date: October 30, 2026 _________________________________
Position Title
Special Education Paraprofessional (Structured/Functional) Applicants are instructed to address in their application/resume their experiences directly related to each section noted in the posting. Only completed/submitted online applications with supporting documents will be screened. Position Type: Certified Support Date Posted: September 21, 2026 Location: Woodland Elementary School Date Available: September 25, 2026 Description: To assist instructional staff in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning learning environment in which students with can take full advantage of the instructional program.
Essential Performance Responsibilities
Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by staff. Assists staff in devising and implementing special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities. Assists staff in implementing behavioral strategies for individual students as well as assisting with students in crisis. Accompanies students to specials mainstreaming and/or exploratory classes for the purposes of facilitating their full participation in these classes under the direction of staff, consistent with the contents of the student’s IEP (where applicable). Administers, scores, and records achievement and diagnostic tests as staff recommends for individual students. Assists with equipment, technology, and augmentative communication devices used with students as listed on IEP or as directed by staff. Assists students with completion of instructional assignments, distributes and collects workbooks, papers, and other materials for instruction, corrects papers, supervises testing and makeup work, guides independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work set up and assigned by staff. Checks and records student attendance as necessary, assists in data collection, recording of student performance as requested by staff. Assists with the supervision of students throughout the school day, including during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, transitions to other classes, lunch/recess, field trips, and community outings. As necessary, assists students with daily living skills such as dressing, undressing, lunch, snack, clean-up routines, toileting, and washing routines, assists with special equipment such as but not limited to wheelchairs, Ritter chairs, standers, walkers, gait belts, etc. Alerts staff to any problem or special information about an individual student. Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of all employees, including functioning as a mandated reporter. Assists with students’ movement throughout the day as directed by Special Education Staff and/or Administration. Paraprofessionals are non-teaching personnel who may be used: For non-teaching duties not requiring instructional judgment or evaluation of pupils; For supervising study halls, long-distance teaching reception areas used incident to instructional programs transmitted by electronic media (such as computers, video, and audio), and detention and discipline areas. To assist with academic programs under a certified teacher’s immediate supervision; For providing specialized instruction in fields they are particularly qualified in due to their knowledge or skills under a certified teacher’s direction. Based on student or school needs, the substitute paraprofessional may be temporarily or permanently reassigned. Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as assigned by the staff, principal, supervisor, director, or other administrator.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Technical: Competent in digital environments; iPads, Chromebooks, databases, spreadsheets, publishing software, Microsoft Office, Google Applications, etc. Interpersonal: Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with students, staff, parents, businesses, and community. Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills. Empathetic, humanistic, and open-minded. Strong sense of teamwork. Strategic thinker. Must be able to work harmoniously with the community, students, parents, staff, and administration, etc. Must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and staff. Must exhibit sound judgment in dealing with people. Must have strong organizational skills.
District Core Competencies
Support the establishment of mutual respect and equal human dignity across the entire school community. Welcomes inclusion, equity, and diversity. Have an unwavering commitment to the success of all students. Understanding that your identity may be different than students, parents, and staff, you are willing to put those differences aside for the success of all students. Regardless of the identities of students, staff, or parents, works collaboratively to build a successful relationship with them. Willingly anticipate, identify, and adopt change. Engage in all job-related interactions and activities, with contacts from within and outside the district, in a courteous and professional manner. Communicate with styles that are approachable and respectful. Participate in professional development and training to become more effective and efficient. Take initiative to manage multiple tasks. Effectively organize work to be as productive as possible.
Physical Demands
Manual Dexterity: Work requires definite skilled and accurate physical operations requiring some closely coordinated performance. Physical Effort: Work requires handling average weight materials or equipment, but not for sustained periods. Working Conditions: Some exposure to definitely disagreeable elements may exist.
Terms of Employment
Work Week: Monday through Friday Work Year: 176 Days Salary: Minimum of $19.92 per hour with the opportunity to earn up to an additional $2.10 per hour with KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities).
How to Apply
Internal Applicants should apply online at www.dist50.net and attach a resume to the online application. External Applicants should apply online at www.dist50.net and attach three letters of recommendation, resume, and transcript(s) to the online application. All applicants must be willing to interview in person and demonstrate skills through a situational analysis. Applicants will be contacted within three weeks if invited for an interview. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Further information regarding this position may be obtained by contacting:
Contact Persons
Mrs. Caitlin Shanahan Assistant Principal / Special Education Supervisor CShanahan@dist50.net (847) 984-8895 Evelyn Cacioppo Assistant Principal / Special Education Supervisor ECacioppo@dist50.net (847) 984-4029 Vasiliki Frake Director of Educational Services VFrake@dist50.net (847) 596-5630
Woodland School District 50 is an Equal Opportunity Employer
With established policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, marital status, arrest record, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable military discharge, citizenship status provided the individual is authorized to work in the United States, use of lawful products while not at work, being a victim of domestic or sexual violence, genetic information, physical or mental handicap or disability, if otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, or other legally protected categories. The Associate Superintendent of Educational Services (847-596-5631) addresses questions regarding student discrimination and serves as the district’s Title IX Coordinator, and the Executive Director of Human Resources (847-596-5640) answers questions concerning employment discrimination.