Location
Chicago, Illinois
Salary
$18 - $19 / HOUR
Support children ages 6-14 with neurodiverse needs by assisting with individualized therapy activities and classroom preparation. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of therapists to maintain a positive, play-based learning environment.
Requires a Bachelor's or Associate's degree, or the completion of at least 60 college semester hours. Candidates must be able to lift up to 25lbs, and experience with special needs clients is preferred.
As a Teacher Assistant, you will support children ages 6-14 years old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and other neurodiverse needs. In this role, you'll help promote each child's cognitive, social, emotional, adaptive, and developmental growth by: Assisting with individualized therapy activities and classroom/lesson preparation Supporting group therapy rotations Collaborating daily with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers Helping maintain a positive, engaging, play-based learning environment Compensation & Benefits
$18.25 – $18.75/hour Health Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision + Life & Disability Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Competitive PTO and Holiday Allowances 401(k) with Employer Contributions Continuing Education (CEU) Reimbursement Employee Referral Program Schedule & Location Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM OR 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Location: 3319 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL
Bachelor's or Associate's degree OR completion of at least 60 semester hours of college-level coursework Experience working with children or clients with special needs is a plus Ability to lift up to 25lbs Why Join Merlin Day Academy? Supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven culture Professional growth opportunities, including mentorship and CEU support The chance to make a real difference in the lives of children with neurodiverse needs Please see our full Teacher Assistant job description attached to this posting, along with details of our competitive benefits package. Apply today at threebirdsonemission.com/careers to join our mission of empowering children with neurodiverse needs to succeed!
Market context
Illinois classroom teacher roles are typically in steady demand, especially in districts seeking candidates who can support diverse student needs and communicate clearly with families and staff. This type of role is competitive because employers often look for classroom experience plus related backgrounds such as sociology, psychology, counseling, or education, and bilingual skills in English, Spanish, or Portuguese can strengthen an application. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then tailor your resume to highlight public speaking experience and weekend availability if you have it.
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